US Gun Violence Has Grown Out Of Control

Multiple shootings and deaths over the weekend have proven with certainty that US gun violence is out of control and NOT on track to get any better!

Current Events :
Guns rights advocates are quick to say: “Guns don’t kill people. PEOPLE kill people.” However, a string of shootings and deaths in America within just the past few days has made it crystal clear that it’s beyond time to address the heinous US gun violence problem before even 1 more death.

Only weeks ago, a racist gunman entered a Buffalo, NY grocery store and used an AK-15 assault rifle to enact a shooting spree designed to kill as many Black people as possible. The ultimate death toll was 10.

In Uvalde, Texas, 21 lives were lost after a crazed shooter entered the Robb Elementary School and randomly opened fire on innocent school children, faculty, and teachers.

Now, officials have calculated even more US gun violence within just the past 72 hours.

.

HARLEM

On Sunday, a 17-year-old teen was arrested after firing a gun near a bus stop in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. The bullet, which was intended for an unknown target, mistakenly hit an innocent bystander who was simply waiting for the next bus.

.

PHILADELPHIA

On Saturday night, multiple shooters randomly fired into a crowd gathered on South Street, the famous Philadelphia spot known for its nightlife, bars, and people watching. According to authorities, 3 people were killed and at least 11 others were wounded.  Although multiple handguns were found at the scene, no arrests have been made.

.

CHATTANOOGA

In Chattanooga, Tennessee, police responded early Sunday to a shooting near a nightclub that left 3 people dead and 14 others injured.

Two of the victims died from gunshot wounds, while a 3rd person died after being hit by a vehicle. Police say multiple people opened fire, but no arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon.

Ironically, the Sunday shooting follows a similar shooting in downtown Chattanooga last week that left 6 people wounded.

.

SOUTH CAROLINA

In Clarendon County, South Carolina, at least 8 people were shot at a graduation party over the weekend in what authorities have described as a suspected drive-by shooting. A 32-year-old woman was killed and 7 others were wounded.  

While announcing that the shooting appeared to be gang-related, police explained that 6 of the 7 injured were age 17 or younger.

“This was a school graduation party and you’ve got all these innocent children that were there that were hit by gunfire,” Sheriff Tim Baxley said.

.

PHOENIX

At least 9 people were hospitalized and a 14-year-old girl was killed after a shooting early Saturday at a Phoenix strip mall.

“Seems we can’t go a day without another mass shooting,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego tweeted Saturday. “This time, it’s Phoenix, at 10th Ave & Hatcher. Time has run out. Change must happen now.”

.

MESA

Early Sunday morning, a shooting outside a bar in Mesa, Arizona left  2 people dead and 2 others injured.

.

Additionally, mass shootings occurred over the weekend in Texas, Georgia, and Michigan, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a group that tracks mass shootings.

In fact, only 158 days into 2022, the country has now seen at least 246 mass shootings, according to the group’s tally. That figure puts the US on track for having one of the deadliest years on record since the archive began tracking gun deaths.

No other country in the world has as many shootings and shooting deaths as the United States of America. Or, in other words, it’s beyond time to regulate guns and put an end to the deadly US gun violence problem.

OK WASSUP! covers Current Events:
The massive US gun violence problem.