Random mass shootings have been hugging the headlines in recent months in the United States and one that has left dozens of unwilling victims dead in its path.
These shootings have no regard for its victims whether it’s women, children, elderly, or even persons with disabilities. Any criminal defense lawyer Virginia Beach would cringe at the news of a shooting that killed people from all walks of life and suspects don not care when they are wantonly claiming the life of another.
The infamous mark of mass shootings in US history
In recent years, the United States has seen the worst mass shootings in history. Memories are still fresh of the 2017 mass shooting that killed 58 people at a music festival in Las Vegas, the 2018 shooting that killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida, and the death of 28 people at a shopping center in El Paso, Texas just a couple months ago.
Virginia criminal defense lawyers agree that better stricter laws need to be in place to ensure the protection of Americans from such incidents, from gun ownership regulations to gun-control measures.
The worst in history
The attack in Las Vegas became the worst mass shooting incident in US history, becoming the deadliest of eight incidents linked to guns that topped the list for having the highest number of casualties in a span of 10 years.
A recent study involving mass shootings indicated that there were more than 110 mass shootings in the United States since 1982. The report based the number of incidents where an attacker has killed no less than four victims indiscriminately. Disturbingly, these do not include incidents related to crimes such as gang violence or armed robbery.
Despite a large number of incidents, mass shootings only account for a small proportion of gun deaths. In 2016, there are a recorded number of 38,658 gun deaths in the country- 22,938 of which are suicides, and 14,415 are due to homicides, of which 71 have died due to mass shootings.
Suicides by firearms represent almost half of all suicides in the US.
A study from the American Journal of Public Health in 2016 revealed it has found a strong correlation between higher gun ownership levels and higher firearm suicide rates for both women and men.
There are states that have taken measures to restrict or firmly regulate gun ownership, especially assault weapons.
There are a lot of debates that hound gun ownership and gun control. One concern raised by anti-gun advocates is the ease of accessibility where one can easily purchase a gun in a store. These red flags, according to some lawyers such as a criminal defense lawyer Virginia Beach have been the basis for calls to improve legislation involving gun ownership in order to avoid such incidents from happening.
