In 2023, the United States exceeded the troubling threshold of 100 mass shootings, prompting criticism of Washington and the state legislatures for their actions.
According to data supplied by the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), which defines a mass shooting as an occurrence in which at least four persons are murdered by the shooter, excluding the shooter, the US reached the sobering number of 100 in the first week of March.
According to the GVA, the US reached position 100 last year on March 19—two weeks earlier than this year.
In 2021, the nation hit the milestone of 100 mass shootings in late March; from 2018 to 2020, the milestone was not reached until May.
The frequency of mass shootings has increased after the bipartisan gun safety measure was passed
“Americans are tired of fearing if they or their families will be the next victims of a mass shooting. Our children are tired of being told to ‘run, hide, and fight’,” stated Kris Brown, president at Brady: United Against Gun Violence.
“These regular, uniquely American tragedies must be a call to action for our political leaders. We need decisive change to US gun laws and regulations. The cost of political inaction on preventing gun violence is increasingly, tragically clear,” said Brown.
Even though the frequency of mass shootings has increased after the bipartisan gun safety measure was passed, there has not been much progress on additional gun safety legislation in the divided Congress.
“Although fatal and nonfatal firearm injuries are growing, no real legislative response has followed acts of gun violence in support of individuals or the communities in which they live. And there is scant proof that prevention measures, such as active shooter drills, have reduced actual harm,” said Mark S Kaplan, a professor of social welfare at UCLA.
“There are real solutions and tools – including bans on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines – available now that can make a difference, but only if our elected officials act to implement them,” he stated.
