Just six days after Georgia’s spa shooting that claimed the lives of eight victims, a supermarket in Boulder, Colo., was attacked and 10 more victims were added to the list of lives claimed by gun violence.
Within the last four years the United States has seen almost 29 shootings in which more than four people were killed, according to data compiled by the Violence Project.
How many more shootings will America see before those who disregard life see the issue and plague that gun violence has over our country?
We shouldn’t have to fear for our lives in the everyday activities we do like going to the grocery store, but time and time again it is at these events and places that we see mass shootings. In movie theatres, grocery stores, concerts and schools, it’s no wonder young children fear going to school. Didn’t Columbine show us enough; was that loss of life not enough; was that tragedy not enough; what will be enough to show the rise of gun violence in America? How will we protect our own children when it’s their time to go to school; when they ask to go to the store or the movies or a concert; will we just have to teach them to run?
The U.S. makes up a little over four percent of the global population but research shows its residents own 42 percent of the world’s guns. Americans own almost half of the world’s guns and people don’t see that as a frightening statement. Some people pour their pride into life-altering weapons and see no issue worshiping killing machines.
When will America wake up and see this issue for what it is? Separate politics, see the loss of life, see the problem.
“This is not and should not be a partisan issue — it is an American issue,” President Joe Biden said. “We have to act.”
