June 12, 2016 marks the most deadliest mass shooting in the history of the United States. The shooting took place in a gay nightclub in Orlando called Pulse where 49 people were killed and 53 were injured. Not only was it the most deadly mass shooting, it set records to violent attacks against LGBQT people and acts of terrorism since 9/11.
We have not forgotten the past mass shootings. Their memories are still in our minds and prayers. We have not forgotten about the 32 who were in the wrong place at the wrong time in the Virginia Tech shooting. We have not forgotten about the 27 young children at Sandy Hook Elementary School whose lives had ended far sooner than expected. We have not forgotten about Killeen, TX, San Ysidro, CA, San Bernardino, CA, Edmond OK, Fort Hood, TX, Binghamton, NY, and Aurora, CO. These are just the top ten mass shootings in America, but we have not forgotten about each and every life caught in the unfortunate events of mass shootings.
Why is America leading the world in the most mass shootings?
For one, guns are much more accessible and prevalent in America than any other country. With approximately "270 million to 310 million firearms in circulation" governing "nearly one firearm for every American," the United States leads the world in firearm possession. However, this does not directly answer why America has the most mass shootings as India, the second leading country in gun possession, does not even rank near America, let alone the top five countries in mass shootings worldwide.
In Australia, national gun standards and laws have proved their worth. From a span of nine years (1987-1996), there had been four mass shootings in Australia. Right after, John Howard, former Prime Minister, announced and led with the Parliament national gun reform. This included the ban of rapid-fire rifles and shotguns, the stricter limitations of gun ownership licensure, and the standardized registration of all other firearms. Will this work for America? Though America already had a higher rate of firearm death, Howard believed in 2013 that "it's the availability of guns that causes such a high rate of murder using weapons," implying that gun murder rates will decrease if supply or access to supply is decreased.
Another factor for America's rank in mass shootings is simply publicity. For personal gain to fame or terrorist party acknowledgement like with Omar Mateen, the assailant of the Pulse shooting, who swore allegiance to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) on Facebook before going on the rampage. Or, gunmen want to establish headlines by being more creative like the 2012 Aurora shooting where the gunman dressed up in what looked like a costume and shot movie-goers during the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises. After each mass shooting, the next gunman will try to "one-up" the prior one with more deaths or by creating a unique situation.
For once, America does not want to be ranked first. To not waste the lives lost by our past victims, we must change our policies. The 10-year-olds at Sandy Hook, the Virginia Tech students, the friends going out for Latino night at Pulse, and more -- you will not be forgotten, and your lives will serve as a reminder to change our systems and prevent further massacres from occurring. America, please implement effective reformation before you are reminded once again.
