In a country so quick to blame others for being violent, it seems rather hypocritical considering the United States comes out on top as the most homicidal of all. In 2016 alone, 85 people have been killed, just seven less than the 92 killed in mass shootings in 2015. Since the ban of the assault rifle expired in 2004, there have been 47 mass shootings. The United Sates also holds the record for the highest number of guns owned per capita. Despite the overwhelming evidence of gun violence in the U.S., gun reform laws are still struggling to be passed.
The deadliest shooting in U.S. history was an attack on a gay club in Orlando on Latinx night, the direct act of homophobia and racism. Omar Mateen had a history of "voicing hatred of minorities, gays and Jews." As it happens, the majority of his victims were gay or people of color. The shooting was a hate crime.
To prevent other horrific shootings, we need to continue to be vocal about what we expect from our society. With elections coming up, we need to be aware of what candidates support when it comes to gun reform by using the Guns/Second Amendment section of this chart. Additionally, you can use this chart to find out how senators voted for required background checks for those purchasing guns. For the large number of senators voting no, the law was unable to pass. There are multiple media platforms in which to get in contact with them, such as Facebook, Twitter and email, to assert the importance of background checks, especially in the rate in which mass have occurred.
Gun reform is demonized, that it's used to take away all firearms, when it really just puts more concentration on who has possession of firearms, what type they have, and how many. This doesn't take away anyone's right, just prevents more violence. This is a video that goes into further detail and brings up counter arguments for gun reform using relevant statistics.
We're living in a country in which government doesn't want to prioritize gun control. If we begin to accept that, then nothing will be changed; it seems as though U.S. citizens no longer see gun control as a priority either. This is why it's incredibly important to remain vocal about issues that matter. Prove that we will not tolerate the killing of others just because our government does.
Show support to your LGBTQ+ friends and family. Acknowledge those who are further closeted because no homophobia is harmless. Acknowledge those you know who are out and tell them that they are loved. If we ignore who this attack is on, we further contribute to the problem, avoiding the act of violence towards innocent people at a club.
In every case, silence is lethal. Speak out for what you feel strongly about. Show that these issues matter and refuse to let them disappear. Don't wait until they directly affect you to realize the importance of the problem.
