Summary

The web content discusses the prevalence of gun violence in the United States, particularly focusing on the frequency of mass shootings, the political responses to such incidents, and the ongoing debate over gun control and mental health issues.

Abstract

The article "Mass Shootings Are Becoming a Cultural Norm" presents a grim picture of gun violence in America, noting that despite public outcry and political rhetoric, little has been done to curb the rate of mass shootings. It highlights the anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting and the subsequent deaths and injuries from gun violence in the first two months of 2023 alone. The author expresses frustration with the lack of legislative action and the entrenched positions of both Republicans and Democrats on gun control. The piece also touches on the legality of AR-15 rifles for hunting in various states and the author's personal view that such weapons are unnecessary for this purpose. The article concludes with a list of recent mass shootings, underscoring the severity and urgency of the issue.

Opinions

The author is critical of the lack of action by politicians following mass shootings, noting the repetitive cycle of "thoughts and prayers" from Republicans and "outrage" from Democrats without substantive change.
There is skepticism regarding the necessity of AR-15 rifles for hunting, with the author stating that using such firearms for this purpose is "garbage."
The author supports the right to bear arms but also advocates for common-sense gun laws, suggesting that the rights of gun owners should not infringe upon public safety, especially concerning individuals with known mental health issues.
The article implies that the National Rifle Association (NRA) and similar organizations contribute to the stalemate on gun control legislation by challenging such laws in court.
The author expresses a sense of helplessness and frustration, acknowledging the lack of a clear solution to gun violence but questioning why society allows the problem to persist.

GUN VIOLENCE

Mass Shootings Are Becoming a Cultural Norm

Will America come to its senses?

Five years ago, Nikolas Cruz, then 19, opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., killing 17 people and wounding 17 others.

Despite the outrage, the shootings have continued in the US. Since Jan. 1, 106 people have lost their lives to gun violence; 288 people have been wounded.

Each time families gather outside schools, businesses, where ever the murders have occurred, Republicans offer thoughts and prayers while Democrats express outrage.

Yet the shootings continue. Literally, nothing happens to reduce the shootings. The National Rifle Association closes up shop for a few days, waiting for the outrage to blow over. Republicans will claim guns don’t kill people; people kill people. Democrats emerge with significant sound bites to state the obvious — again — that gun violence needs to stop.

Still, the shootings continue.

Gun owners will claim their weapons are used for hunting to put food on their tables. That’s fine. I’m not a hunter, but I don’t begrudge anyone the ability to feed their families. That said, needing an AR-15 to do that hunting is garbage. It may be legal in many states, but it’s not necessary. That, of course, is my opinion.

Currently, a dozen states do not allow hunting with an AR-15: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Vermont, Washington, and Rhode Island.

The remaining states allow hunting with or without some restrictions. According to Wing Tactical, the most common limits are related to magazine size and minimum cartridge sizes.

For the record, I support the right to bear arms. I also support common-sense gun laws, which, if passed at the state or federal level, usually end up in court, with groups like the NRA or the Gun Owners Action League claiming their right to bear arms are being infringed upon.

Bullshit.

If a man or woman or a teen has known mental health issues, why would anyone want them to have access to weapons?

Do I have the answer? No. I wish I did.

I suppose the only question is why we let it continue.

Below is a list of mass shootings according to Gun Violence Archive.

EDIT: On Feb. 17, a shooting in Mississippi left more six people dead.

Date City/State dead or wounded

Feb. 15, 2023 Baltimore, MD: 4 wounded

Feb. 15, 2023 El Paso, TX: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Feb. 14, 2023 Pittsburg, PA: 4 wounded

Feb. 14, 2023 Buffalo, NY; 5 wounded

Feb. 13, 2023 Paterson, NJ: 4 wounded

Feb. 13, 2023 East Lansing MI: 4 dead, 5 wounded

Feb. 12, 2023 Louisville, MS: 1 dead, 5 wounded

Feb. 10, 2023 Brooklyn, NY: 4 wounded

Feb. 10, 2023 Bronx, NY: 2 dead, 2 wounded

Feb. 8, 2023 Laurinburg, NC: 4 wounded

Feb. 8, 2023 New Orleans, LA: 2 dead, 4 wounded

Feb. 8, 2023 Elizabeth City, NC: 4 wounded

Feb. 6, 2023 Corpus Christi, TX: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Feb. 5, 2023 Stockton, CA: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Feb. 5, 2023 Tuscon, AZ: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Feb. 5, 2023 Newport, AR: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Feb. 5, 2023 Peyton, CO: 2 dead, 3 wounded

Feb. 4, 2023 Huntsville, TX: 2 dead, 2 wounded

Feb. 1, 2023 Los Angeles, CA: 5 wounded

Feb. 1, 2023 Texas City, TX: 4 wounded

Jan. 31, 2023 Durham, NC: 2 dead, 2 wounded

Jan. 30, 2023 Lakeland, FL: 11 wounded

Jan. 30, 2023 Dallas, TX: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 29, 2023 Columbus, OH: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 29, 2023 Greensboro, NC: 1 dead, 6 wounded

Date City/State dead or wounded

Jan. 28, 2023 Andrews, SC: 2 dead, 2 wounded

Jan. 28, 2023 Austin, TX: 2 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 28, 2023 Beverly Hills, CA: 3 dead, 2 wounded

Jan. 28, 2023 Philadelphia, PA: 4 wounded

Jan. 27, 2023 San Diego, CA: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 26, 2023 Newark, NJ: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 26, 2023 Lancaster, PA: 4 wounded

Jan. 24, 2023 Red Springs, NC: 3 dead, 1 wounded

Jan. 23, 2023 Oakland, CA: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 23, 2023 Chicago, Ill: 2 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 23, 2023 Half Moon Bay, CA: 7 dead, 1 wounded

Jan. 22, 2023 Baton Rouge, LA: 12 wounded

Jan. 22, 2023 Robinsonville, MS: 4 wounded

Jan. 22, 2023 Shreveport, LA: 1 dead, 7 wounded

Jan. 21, 2023 Monterey Park, CA: 12, dead, 9 wounded

Jan. 17, 2023 Houston, TX: 4 wounded

Jan. 16, 2023 Fort Pierce, FL: 1 dead, 7 wounded

Jan. 16, 2023 Goshen, CA: 6 dead

Jan. 16, 2023 Sanford, FL: 1 dead, 5 wounded

Jan. 15, 2023 Rockford, Ill: 3 dead, 2 wounded

Jan. 15, 2023 Houston, TX: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 15, 2023 Homestead, FL: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 15, 2023 Phoenix, AZ: 4 wounded

Jan. 14, 2023 Saint Louis, MO: 4 wounded

Jan. 13, 2023 Cleveland, OH: 4 dead, 1 wounded

Jan. 9, 2023 Minneapolis, MN: 4 wounded

Jan. 9, 2023 Philadelphia, PA: 3 dead, 1 wounded

Jan. 9, 2023 Denver, CO: 4 wounded

Date City/State dead or wounded

Jan. 8, 2023 Minneapolis, MN: 4 wounded

Jan. 8, 2023 Albany, GA: 4 wounded

Jan. 7, 2023 Huntsville, AL: 2 dead, 9 wounded

Jan. 7, 2023 High Point, NC: 5 dead

Jan. 6, 2023 Dallas, TX: 3 dead, 2 wounded

Jan. 6, 2023 San Francisco, CA: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 5, 2023 New Orleans, LA: 2 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 5, 2023 Miami Gardens, FL: 10 wounded

Jan. 4, 2023 Cedar City, UT: 8 dead

Jan. 4, 2023 Baltimore, MD: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 4, 2023 Dumfries, VA: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 3, 2023 Washington, DC: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 3, 2023 New Orleans, LA: 5 wounded

Jan. 1, 2023 Ocala, FL: 2 dead, 4 wounded

Jan. 1, 2023 Chicago, Ill: 1 dead, 3 wounded

Jan. 1, 2023 Miami Gardens, FL: 9 wounded

Jan. 1, 2023 Durham, NC: 5 wounded

Jan. 1, 2023 Allentown, PA: 4 wounded

Jan. 1, 2023 Columbus, OH: 1 dead, 4 wounded

Total 106 dead, 288 wounded