On June 11, 2016, the deadliest mass shooting in our nation's history occurred at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, FL, with 49 lives taken and 53 people wounded. Responsible for this crime is Omar Mateen — 29 years of age, born in Queens, NY. Mateen was an American who radicalized his religion and had other personal issues of his own that he could not manage. His supposed allegiance to extremist terrorist groups such as ISIS and insecurities of his sexuality are current hypotheses of what lead to the country's most catastrophic loss since 9/11.
Mateen had been under watch from the FBI for some time, but his case was closed due to non-substantial information leaving no need for further investigation. In addition, he became a person of interest to the police in 2013 and 2014. He was a father to a three-year-old son and married to Noor Salman, who is currently being questioned and offering information to the police. She is now being looked at as someone who could possibly be punished for 49 murder counts and 53 attempted murder counts due to assisting Mateen with scouting locations such as Disney World and withholding information from the police the night of the shooting.
President Barack Obama has made two statements since the shooting, though he has not focused on the victims of the shooting, but rather on his intolerance for labeling this as a result of "radical Islam." Many Americans since then are questioning Obama's ability to solve bigger issues, such as defeating ISIS or preventing future shootings. Florida governor Rick Scott noted Obama's lack communication with him and told Fox & Friends, "No. He has not called." Usually when terrorist attacks or tragedies happen in our nation, it is safe to say that it is common procedure for the President to make contact with local government or communities affected. According to an article from politico.com, Scott received calls from Donald Trump and George W. Bush, but none whatsoever from the President himself.
Right now it is complicated to see any definitive plan of action in this wake of terror. There is so much reform that is needed to make our country safer. National security has become a major issue considering this shooting and past shootings such as San Bernardino, Sandy Hook and more, not to mention the horrific Boston bombing that happened just three years ago on April 15, 2013.
According to a 2016 study posted in a recent CNN article, nearly a third of the world's mass shootings occur on U.S. soil. To be more specific, the study also states that while America holds only five percent of the world's population, it is responsible for 31 percent of all public mass shootings.
Here, a graph from the article compares America's standing in mass shootings to other countries around the world.
Our country is in real need of leadership and needs a figure who is ready to make positive changes for the hardworking citizens who inhabit it. We need someone who can listen to the people of our great nation and be an advocate for restoring the "American Dream," national security, the economy and many other issues. These problems will all take years to solve, but the top priority should be safety. We cannot have the "American Dream" or a successful economy if we are not even safe living in our own country. So use your voice and vote this year. As Americans, we need to be heard.
