Why US Needs Stricter Gun Laws?

The spectre of gun violence looms large over the United States, casting a dark shadow on the fabric of society and forcing a sombre reckoning with its devastating consequences. In recent years, the nation has grappled with a disheartening surge in mass shootings, with an alarming trend pointing to individuals aged 21 or younger as the perpetrators of six out of the nine deadliest incidents since 2018. The unsettling reality struck at Perry High School earlier today. Dylan Butler, a young assailant, unleashed gunfire, turning a peaceful morning into a nightmare. Similarly, in a separate incident in Richmond, Virginia, the routine delivery duties of DoorDash driver Deon Smith took a nightmarish turn when she found herself at the mercy of armed assailants, including an 11-year-old boy. This shocking incident unfolded at an apartment complex, leaving not only the 40-year-old driver traumatised but also the entire local community in disbelief, grappling with the profound implications of unchecked gun violence.

Against this bleak backdrop, the pressing question emerges: Why are children and teenagers becoming perpetrators of violence, assuming the role of assassins in these tragic narratives? The urgency to address this question is underscored by the lack of stringent laws to curb this alarming trend. Despite a disturbing tally of 40,167 gun violence-related deaths reported by the Gun Violence Archive as of December 7, 2023, the nation has yet to witness comprehensive measures that could stem the tide of this menacing phenomenon.

Perry High School Shooting Horror

As dawn broke on the first day back after winter break, Perry High School became the tragic epicenter of America's first school shooting in 2024. A 17-year-old student, identified as Dylan Butler, unleashed a horrifying act of violence at 7:30 am, leaving one student dead and five others injured. This tragic incident has once again cast a grim spotlight on the pressing issue of school shootings and gun violence in the United States.

The motive behind Butler's attack remains unclear, but friends of the perpetrator revealed a harrowing tale of years-long bullying. Described as a quiet individual, Butler was allegedly pushed to the edge by relentless harassment. One of his friends lamented, "He was hurting. He got tired. He got tired of the bullying. He got tired of the harassment."

The tragedy at Perry High School marks the third school shooting in the US within the first five days of 2024.

11-Year-Old Boy Robs Woman On Gunpoint

As Deon Smith completed her delivery, she was approached by the 18-year-old and the 11-year-old. Initially, she believed they were seeking financial assistance. However, to her dismay, the situation took a dangerous turn. The 18-year-old brandished a firearm, demanding Smith's car keys, leaving her in a state of shock. 

"When he told me that he was going to shoot me, I was like, ‘Are you serious? You want to kill somebody at your age,’" Smith recounted it, reflecting on the gravity of the encounter. 

Promptly responding to the report of a robbery, law enforcement initiated an investigation into the incident. The aftermath revealed a disturbing trail, as Smith's car was discovered in Henrico County, abandoned, crashed, and subsequently set ablaze. Both perpetrators sustained injuries during the incident, although not life-threatening, and were transferred to medical facilities.

Identified as Jahlia Henley, the 18-year-old assailant, along with his 11-year-old accomplice, now faces serious charges of robbery. The involvement of such a young individual in a violent crime raises questions about societal challenges and the urgent need for intervention.

Americans & Guns 

Guns play a profound role in American society, shaping political discourse and personal identities. Anchored by the Second Amendment, which guarantees the right to bear arms, the United States grapples with a complex relationship with firearms. Drawing primarily from a June 2023 survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, approximately one-third of U.S. adults claim personal gun ownership, a statistic relatively stable over recent years. Republicans are more than twice as likely as Democrats to own guns, revealing a stark political divide. Other factors, such as gender, community type, and ethnicity, also influence ownership rates.

• Personal protection emerges as the primary driver behind owning a firearm, with 72% of gun owners citing it as a major reason.
• Feelings about gun ownership vary significantly based on political affiliation. Republican gun owners tend to associate positive feelings and safety with owning a gun, while Democratic owners are more likely to express concerns.
• Urban and rural disparities are evident, with urban dwellers leaning towards perceiving reduced safety and rural residents holding the opposite view.
• The survey indicates a prevailing concern about gun violence, with 62% expecting an increase over the next five years. This apprehension aligns with the 60% who view gun violence as a very big problem, marking a 9% increase from spring 2022.
• Approximately 58% favour stricter gun laws, with fluctuations observed in recent years. Support for specific policies, such as preventing those with mental illnesses from purchasing guns and raising the minimum age for gun purchases, transcends partisan lines.

Gallup's survey also reveals a prevailing sentiment, with 56% of U.S. adults advocating for stricter gun laws.While a significant portion supports tighter gun laws, Gallup's data reveals a paradoxical stance on handguns. A mere 27% of U.S. adults advocate for a ban on handguns for ordinary citizens. An intriguing aspect of the survey is Americans' belief that guns enhance home safety. Currently, 64% perceive guns as making homes safer, while 32% consider them more dangerous. The survey reveals that 44% of U.S. adults have a gun in their home or on their property.

Gun Violence Epidemic in 2023

• According to the Gun Violence Archive, the toll stands at a harrowing 40,167 lives lost to gun violence as of December 7. This translates to an average of nearly 118 deaths every day.
• Among the grim statistics, the loss of 1,306 teenagers and 276 children to gun violence is particularly alarming
• The year 2023 has witnessed a staggering 632 mass shootings, defined by the Gun Violence Archive as incidents involving four or more victims. These incidents have resulted in 597 deaths and 2,380 injuries.

Disturbing Trend of Young Assailants in Mass Shootings

Law enforcement officials, researchers, and policy experts highlight the age range of 15 to 25 as a critical period for young men, characterized by developmental changes and societal pressures that may lead to violence. The statistics reveal a disturbing pattern, with six of the most devastating mass shootings in recent years perpetrated by individuals within this age bracket.

Factors Contributing to Youthful Mass Shooters

• Online Bullying and Social media: The rise of online bullying and the aggressive marketing of firearms to young males are identified as potential contributors. The internet serves as a breeding ground for the social contagion of violence, with young individuals caught up in a disturbing trend of emulation and escalation.
• Lax Gun Laws and Accessibility: The legal ability to purchase a semiautomatic "long gun" at the age of 18 raises concerns. Lax state gun laws and federal statutes contribute to the ease with which young individuals can acquire deadly firepower, potentially fueling their inclinations towards violence.
• Mental Health Crisis: Against the backdrop of a worsening adolescent mental health crisis, the perpetrators of mass shootings represent an extreme minority but highlight broader trends of loneliness, hopelessness, and the darker aspects of a society saturated with social media and violent content.
• Social Media Influence: In almost every case, social media or interactive online game platforms played a role. The need for validation, strength display, and a desire to fit in are evident in the perpetrators' online activities, underscoring the pervasive impact of social media on today's youth culture.
• Biological Factors and Impulsive Behavior: Scientists emphasize the critical time for brain development during the teenage and post-teenage years. This period, characterized by aggressive and impulsive behaviour in young generation, contributes to the heightened susceptibility to violent tendencies.

In the face of these harrowing statistics and their profound impact on lives and communities, the need for stricter gun laws becomes a moral imperative. A deeper exploration into the motivations driving young individuals to pick up weapons and inflict harm is essential to inform effective policy responses. 

Personal views expressed by the author are their own