Gun violence in America is a public health crisis. Gun violence and mass shooting incidents continue to climb, leaving many to wonder if they are safe. Many Americans are asking for responsible gun control laws. They want to feel safe in social, religious, and other gathering places.
Gun violence in the United States isn’t uncommon. The Brady United website states, “99.85% of Americans will know a victim of gun violence.” Several types of gun violence occur in the United States including:
Gun violence, whether intentional or unintentional, is adversely affecting the mental and physical health of Americans. Data on the causes of gun violence point some to socioeconomic stressors, mental health, or substance use issues.
Mass shooting rates have increased since 1983. The Violence Project Data reports that 33 of the mass shootings occurred during 2018-2022. In comparison, there were 25 massacres between 2013 and 2017. In 2023, by October 26th, there were 565 mass shootings.
There was a surge in gun sales at the beginning of the COVID-19 social isolation regulations. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Crime Information Center (NCIC) reported background checks on March 16, 2020, increased by 300% compared to the same day in 2019. According to the Pew Research Center, 48,830 people died in 2021 because of gun violence. This number increased by a 23% rise in incidents in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. During COVID-19’s social isolation regulations, there was an increase in firearm homicide and suicide rates. The rates increased disproportionately for adolescents, males, and Black people.
An alarming trend in gun-related deaths that began during the COVID-19 pandemic is the rise in fatalities in children and adolescents under the age of 18. Gun death rates among these populations rose 50% between the years 2019 and 2021.