Over 200 Lives Lost to Gun Violence in the U.S. Last Weekend

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We are no longer just hearing ominous remarks about gun violence being a rising issue or the need for action. Gun violence has escalated into an epidemic. Don’t assume you can escape it by living in a safe neighborhood away from the so-called “dangerous city.” I reside in the suburbs, and my partner was shot while picking up our children from school on a Monday afternoon. This crisis is pervasive, and it demands urgent change.

Consider what transpired over the Fourth of July weekend – according to reports, over 230 individuals were killed by gun violence in the U.S. It’s not merely alarming; it’s horrifying. The Chicago Sun-Times noted that this holiday weekend was the most violent of 2021, with 104 individuals shot, 19 of whom were fatally injured, including 13 children. Yes, children. These firearms are injuring and sometimes killing our youth.

In St. Louis, the second most dangerous city in the U.S. in 2020, four children were shot within a mere 10 hours during the holiday weekend. This brought the total to 52 children aged 17 and under shot in 2021. In Norfolk, VA, four minors were shot by a 15-year-old assailant, though they thankfully survived. Children accessing firearms? This insanity must end!

Beyond the violence in major cities, a peaceful country club golf course became the site of a brutal attack where golf pro Leo Harris was fatally shot. According to reports, he confronted a driver after their truck was driven onto the green. Tragically, he was shot, and the shooter escaped, but authorities later discovered two other bodies in the truck. The motive remains unclear, and the assailant has yet to be found.

This is merely a glimpse of the chaos engulfing our nation, and it shows no signs of abating. As of July 7, the Gun Violence Archive reported 20,466 gunshot deaths in 2021. Nearly 25,000 lives lost — yet our gun laws remain lax, often nonexistent, allowing weapons to flourish on our streets.

As noted by the Washington Post, gun sales had previously surged during elections and mass shootings, like the tragic event at Sandy Hook Elementary in late 2012. The numbers spiked again last year amidst pandemic lockdowns and widespread protests following the police killing of George Floyd. Unsurprisingly, the rise in gun purchases has led to an increase in gun-related incidents. The GVA documented 20,000 gun violence deaths and an additional 24,000 suicides in 2020, the highest figures in two decades. Sadly, we are on track to surpass those numbers in 2021.

Experts suggest we are still navigating tumultuous times due to COVID-19 and the uncertainty of our future. Many individuals remain unemployed, have lost loved ones, and are grappling with health concerns. “We’re fearful of what this summer is going to look like,” said Mark Thompson, Director of Community Safety at the Liberty Center. He expressed concern that as people reconnect socially, conflicts may arise, particularly among youth who relied on social media to resolve disputes during the pandemic. This could result in dangerous confrontations if weapons are involved.

What Can We Do?

So, what can we do? How can we stop this? The Biden-Harris Administration is determined to address this violence and eliminate firearms from our streets. In April, the White House unveiled six initial measures to tackle this escalating crisis. These measures included:

1. A proposed rule by the Justice Department aimed at curbing the proliferation of “ghost guns” in our communities, which can be assembled by criminals within 30 minutes. These untraceable firearms pose a significant challenge for law enforcement.
2. A proposed rule to clarify the identification of stabilizing braces under the National Firearms Act, which can convert a pistol into a short-barreled rifle with ease.
3. Introduction of “red flag” laws that empower family and law enforcement to restrict access to firearms for individuals in crisis who present a danger to themselves or others. The President is urging Congress to pass such legislation.
4. Investment in community violence intervention programs, which have proven effective in reducing crime in urban settings by utilizing non-incarceration approaches to violence prevention.
5. A new report on firearm trafficking to update information on how firearms are illegally entered into communities, aiding policymakers in formulating effective legislation.
6. The nomination of Lisa Turner to be the director of the ATF, filling a leadership void that has persisted since 2015.

There is much to appreciate about the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to addressing the gun violence epidemic, and we hope they successfully implement these strategies to combat this urgent issue in America. It is our duty to advocate for stricter laws to keep these weapons out of the hands of criminals. Gun violence knows no boundaries, and we must remain vigilant to protect not only ourselves but also the future of our children.

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In summary, gun violence in the U.S. is an escalating crisis, reflected in the tragic deaths over recent weekends. The urgency for effective solutions is clear. The Biden-Harris Administration has laid out a plan to tackle this epidemic, but society must also advocate for stricter gun laws to ensure safety for all, especially for our children.