Gun violence has increased dramatically over the past three decades, and as school and public shootings continue to occur at a rate of at least one per week, many Americans are understandably concerned about the trend continuing. So, why is gun violence on the rise and what’s next?
What Is Gun Violence?
Gun violence is violence committed with the use of firearms, for example pistols, shotguns, assault rifles or machine guns. From mass shootings, to suicide, and domestic violence with a firearm, gun violence in the United States is one of the leading causes of death.
In fact:
- every 16 hours, a woman in America is shot and killed by a current or former intimate partner.
- 60% of all gun deaths include suicides
- At least 311,000 students have experienced a school shooting
- Since 1999, 189 students and teachers have died during a school shooting
- Between January and May 2022, there have been over 200 mass shootings
So, why are these numbers so high and why is this happening in the United States? Let’s take a look.
What Causes Gun Violence?
To understand the causes of gun violence, it’s important to look at the trends over time. While 2020 saw the highest total number of gun deaths in the U.S., this statistic does not take into account the nation’s growing population. On a per capita basis, there were 13.6 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 2020 – the highest rate since the mid-1990s, but still well below the peak of 16.3 gun deaths per 100,000 people in 1974.The gun murder and gun suicide rates in the U.S. both remain below their peak levels. There were 6.2 gun murders per 100,000 people in 2020, below the rate of 7.2 recorded in 1974.
In general, the root causes of gun violence are twofold: poverty and access. The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence found that the causes of gun violence include:
- Income inequality
- Underfunded public housing
- Lack of opportunity and hopelessness
- Underperforming schools
- Easy access to firearms by high risk individuals
Not only does gun violence primarily affect communities of color, but these communities also suffer from a cycle of violence and harm to their health and wellbeing as a result.
Exposure to gun violence causes:
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Antisocial behavior
- Depression
- Stunted cognitive and emotional development
- Increased alcohol and substance abuse
- Increased likihood of engaging in gun violence
One of the most alarming factors in gun violence cases is the fact that we don’t necessarily know exactly how many have occurred. Not all instances of gun violence are reported by major news networks which means the reporting is up to local news in many cases. With few resources and other topics to report, reporters often have to choose what makes the news. This impacts public record keeping and skews the number of murders and suicides greatly.
Other Considerations
The tragedies that have occurred on campuses, in supermarkets, and at major events are horrific and have scarred this nation since Columbine. Debates over gun rights and access abound whenever a massacre makes headlines, and there are countless families who have lost loved ones tragically at the hand of a gunman.
However, it’s also important to understand that in times of fear and frustration, finding someone to blame is often more of a priority than allowing justice to persist. In some cases, law enforcement in communities ravaged by gun violence want to find anyone to blame to keep their reputations in tact and the sheriffs in office. This leads to an increase in wrongful accusations which not only harm individuals but the justice system as a whole.
If you have been accused of gun violence, contact the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr. LLC.