Biting the Bullet: America’s Gun Crisis
An elementary school, a church, a local supermarket, a synagogue and a nightclub—aren’t simply public spaces for the everyday person. These are places where the unsuspecting everyday person has been met with the terror of a gruesome death, at the hands of a killer with America’s most-prized possession—a gun.
The murder tool Gary Willis passionately describes as “our Moloch” has resulted in 267 mass shootings so far in 2022, with the most recent incident occurring in Los Angeles, California on June 12—three people were killed and four others were injured at a warehouse party.
When it seemed as though this year’s Buffalo supermarket massacre was enough to make lawmakers uncomfortable in their seats, 19 children and two teachers experienced a similar fate in Uvalde merely weeks later. As of June 13, 2022, mourning continues for families, friends and watchers across the country, while deliberations on gun control lead to no conclusive or effective change. It begs the question that echoes in the hearts and minds of millions of Americans: when will we prioritize the safety and security of our citizens over the abuse of the Second Amendment?
It is a question that strikes fear into the heart of self-proclaimed patriots—the possibility of losing such an integral part of their American identity. However, the lethality of guns remains undisputed and the consensual solution isn’t a black and white response. It is a collective effort that should include education, mental health support and gun regulation.
America needs to educate its police.
In the midst of their grief, people are still questioning law enforcement’s dismal response to the Uvalde school shooting. A dreadful 77 minutes went by before officers at Robb Elementary School finally apprehended the shooter, despite the pleas of distressed parents and bystanders.
In such unpredictable circumstances, there is hardly a comprehensive, 10-step plan to guarantee a safe outcome for all parties involved. Between active shootings and hostage-barricade situations, police responses can shift within a matter of minutes.
However, in the face of volatile danger, police officers need to be adequately trained to engage with and resolve the threat to the public, with discernment.
America needs to address its mental health crisis
It is no surprise that behind the curtain of criminality lies a slew of compounding issues. No sane, mentally stable person picks up a gun to commit large scale murder. The Violence Project, a published study by professors Jillian Peterson and James Densley found clear statistical evidence that “over 80% of mass shooters were in a noticable crisis prior to their shooting.”
Had the prospective threat been addressed before that critical breaking point, what could’ve been avoided? The work of monitoring and intervening isn’t only up to mental health professionals. The work is also for household members, classmates, teachers and coworkers. Those in the vicinity who are able to identify changes in the individual’s mood or behaviour may also be the ones who can step in and offer guidance.
America needs to regulate its guns.
According to a Small Arms Survey published in June 2018, there are around 120.5 guns per 100 residents in the United States. This contrasts with the statistics of our northern neighbour, Canada, where there are around 34.7 guns per 100 residents.
With the majority of gun owners citing personal protection as their reason for ownership, the role of the police comes into question. Police are supposed to ensure safety and protect their citizens, right? Well, it turns out that police officers have no constitutional duty to protect citizens from harm, with the exception of individuals in their custody.
While factors such as mental illness and online hate forums can be pointed to as the source of this mass shooting contagion, it is truly the responsibility of those who have allowed deadly weapons to so easily slip into the hands of people with even deadlier minds.
This work extends beyond Red Flag laws, which allow for the prevention of purchase or ownership of guns by an individual who presents to be a risk to themselves or those around them.
The raging gun crisis in the United States of America, like most problems involving people, isn’t an easy fix. However, mulling over the enormity of the issue won’t conjure a resolution. With the response grossly overdue, many continue to express rage, fear and anguish. The mayhem of gunfire drowns out their voices.
