Topical Taboo: Why won't America stop its citizens being shot?
- Katharyn Daniels
- Apr 3, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8, 2019
15th February 2019. 26th January 2019. 23rd January 2019. 19th November 2018. 11th November 2018. 7th November 2018. 2nd November 2018. 27th October 2018. 3rd October 2018. 20th September 2018. 6th September 2018. 26th August 2018. 28th June 2018. 17th June 2018. 30th May 2018.18th May 2018. 22nd April 2018. 9th March 2018.14th February 2018. 23rd January 2018. 31st December 2017. 7th December 2017. 13th November 2017. 5th November 2017. 1st October 2017. 24th September 2017. 10th September 2017. 28th August 2017. 1st July 2017. 14th June 2017. 14th June 2017. 8th June 2017. 6th June 2017. 5th June 2017. 27th May 2017. 13th April 2017. 10th April 2017. 26th March 2017. 22nd March 2017. 6th January 2017. 28th September 2016. 23rd September 2016. 20th August 2016. 30th July 2016. 17th July 2016. 11th July 2016. 7th July 2016.12th June 2016. 5th May 2016. 21st April 2016. 9th March 2016. 25th February 2016. 20th February 2016...
What do these all have in common? If you answered that four or more Americans were shot in mass shootings on those dates, you are correct. The ones in bold? They made the list of deadliest mass shootings since 1949.
Seven of the deadliest mass shootings in US history took place in the past four years.
This list of dates could go on a lot longer... we could have gone further down the list and included the San Bernardino attack, the Sandy Hook shooting, the Columbine massacre... When will it end?
On March 15th, there was a Mosque shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. 50 people were murdered in cold blood. Soon after, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced plans to ban semi-automatic weapons. The bill has flown through the first vote in New Zealand's Parliament, with parties on all sides united by one common goal - to prevent any more mass shootings.
Dunblane, 1996. A school shooting left 17 innocent people dead in Scotland. After this, the British government passed legislation banning the private ownership of handguns.
One shooting is all it took.
There were 340 shootings in America in 2018.
In the US, guns are still legal.
Why should any law abiding citizen need a semi-automatic weapon that is most commonly seen in war zones, surely it cannot be too difficult to outlaw guns?
The second amendment in the American Constitution allows citizens to own guns: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed".
This is viewed as a right by some, which is why it becomes difficult for the laws to change. Added to that, the gun laws are written as a constitutional right rather than an ordinary bill which makes it harder to change. The Supreme Courts have also ruled in favour of individuals being allowed to own a gun, further cementing the right into US law.
Multiple courts, states and governments have passed laws in the US making it easier to obtain, own and conceal guns. All based on this Second Amendment 'right'.
However, this is a right that was written during an 18th Century civil war. When people may have needed to defend themselves. When guns were muskets and could not possibly cause as much destruction as a semi-automatic rifle.
One of the pro-gun arguments is that to stop a bad guy with a gun you need a good guy with a gun. Cases of armed civilians taking down gunmen are few and far between, and when this does happen it's usually after the attack.
There are campaigns on both sides of this debate. A group of young adults who survived the Parkland shooting on the 14th February created the "March for our Lives" group. They campaign for a change in gun laws.
On the other side, the National Rifle Association (NRA) campaign for the law to stay the same, and for the continued right to own a gun.
Of course, there are always comments and discussions on Twitter as well surrounding this topic:
It's not just mass shootings that are an issue when it comes to gun law in America. There are a host of other issues that stem from the Second Amendment and the abuse of the right to bear arms. Domestic violence, children getting their hands on guns, gang violence, police brutality, suicide. Each one of these issues is included in the gun violence debate, and each breeds its own issues. Even the discussion about the terminology used after attacks - whether the press call the shooter a 'terrorist' or a 'mentally ill loner' - which seems to come down to race in a lot of cases.
The issues that stem from gun laws are seemingly never ending, and the debates are long-fought. It seems that every time there is another atrocity, the same headlines, arguments and campaigns are re-run and re-fought.
One story from 'the Onion' is brought up after every major shooting. The headline is particularly significant:
'No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens
It speaks volumes.
Gun violence is not acceptable. Mass shootings in the classroom, cinema, Church, Mosque, Synagogue, home, office are not acceptable. 340 shootings a year is not acceptable. Despite the arguments that the right to own a gun should be protected, surely it is clear that relaxed gun laws are not the answer.
There have been so many shootings in America that they are now reduced to a list of dates and numbers. Facts and figures about casualties. The names of victims are remembered by those who knew them - but to the rest of the world? They're now simply a stat on a Wikipedia entry.
Do you have thoughts on this topic? Are you for or against a change in gun law - and why? We want to hear from you so we can discuss your comments in our upcoming podcast. Contact us on Twitter, Facebook or via email at contact.us.taboo@gmail.com.
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