As gun violence increases and shootings seem to make headlines every few days, the fear of getting caught up in one is changing the lives of millions of Americans.

A shopping mall. A classroom. A teenager's house party.

All have suffered the scourge of a US mass shooting in recent weeks.

To many Americans, it feels like it could happen anywhere.

As National Gun Violence Awareness Day looms on Friday, how is this issue affecting the way people go about their lives?

Tough conversations

Around 60% of adults say they have talked to their kids or other relatives about gun safety, according to a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

 

Some of these conversations are sparked by lockdown drills in US classrooms. In some cases, students as young as five are taught when to barricade doors and when to run for their lives if a gunman is prowling the corridors.

IMHO ... gun violence is simply a symptom, the result of deeper causes.   Treating the symptoms isn't working.

 

Poor parenting the #1 cause ... IMHO

Rampant drug use, sales turf war, pissing people off is #2 cause, and account for most of the shootings ... IMHO

 

Nutters, you'll never stop them.  Thankfully there are few, though they dominate the news.

 

FBI stats, and most murders are committed by know assailants:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-4

 

Most murders (firearms) committed with handguns:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-8

 

Yet, with that info, nutters & rifles dominate the news.  

News is obviously pushing an agenda, instead of addressing the true issues ... ... IMHO

That happens when you let lunatics own gun's free gun laws <deleted> you could've had seen this comming!!

3 hours ago, KhunLA said:

IMHO ... gun violence is simply a symptom, the result of deeper causes.   Treating the symptoms isn't working.

 

Poor parenting the #1 cause ... IMHO

Rampant drug use, sales turf war, pissing people off is #2 cause, and account for most of the shootings ... IMHO

 

Nutters, you'll never stop them.  Thankfully there are few, though they dominate the news.

 

FBI stats, and most murders are committed by know assailants:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-4

 

Most murders (firearms) committed with handguns:

https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-8

 

Yet, with that info, nutters & rifles dominate the news.  

News is obviously pushing an agenda, instead of addressing the true issues ... ... IMHO

Other countries have 'nutters, poor parenting, drug abuse, pissed off people"... right? If not, then why is USA so insane and out of control?

Easy access to guns for the poor parents (leading to poor children... shoot teachers, etc), drugs abusers, etc increases likelyhood that guns will be in the mix of outcomes. That is a "true issue". Many like to say it is a "mental health" issue, but mental health issues cross all countries and cultures. On top of that, the pro gun lobby also cuts funds for mental health. In Texas they repealed a law that banned mentally ill from owning a gun...

It's very simple: if you don't have a gun, you can't shoot someone

Gun deaths are number 1 cause of children's deaths in USA. Why there and no where else?

15 minutes ago, Emster23 said:

Other countries have 'nutters, poor parenting, drug abuse, pissed off people"... right? If not, then why is USA so insane and out of control?

 

It's very simple: if you don't have a gun, you can't shoot someone

I'll address 2 statements, why out of control ...

... open border, for drug cartels = drug wars, mass shootings

... failed justice system, revolving prison doors, no deterrents

 

If you don't have a gun ... you can't protect yourself from the criminals that do, if that's your choice.   In some neighborhoods, a firearm is almost mandatory for protection ????  Not everyone gets to choose where they live.

28 minutes ago, Emster23 said:

Other countries have 'nutters, poor parenting, drug abuse, pissed off people"... right? If not, then why is USA so insane and out of control?

Easy access to guns for the poor parents (leading to poor children... shoot teachers, etc), drugs abusers, etc increases likelyhood that guns will be in the mix of outcomes. That is a "true issue". Many like to say it is a "mental health" issue, but mental health issues cross all countries and cultures. On top of that, the pro gun lobby also cuts funds for mental health. In Texas they repealed a law that banned mentally ill from owning a gun...

It's very simple: if you don't have a gun, you can't shoot someone

Gun deaths are number 1 cause of children's deaths in USA. Why there and no where else?

Of course but the gun nuts would rather blame just about anything else than the availability of so many killing machines.