Fatal Gun Violence in 2023

It is unsurprising that the United States has more deaths from gun violence than any other developed country per capita. America has surpassed 100 mass shootings since the start of 2023, making headlines about gun violence the new normal. According to the Gun Violence Archive, so far in 2023, 11,523 people have died from gun violence in the United States. This averages roughly 115 deaths each day. 

Although President Biden passed the bipartisan gun safety law, there has been little to no political momentum in the divided Congress for more gun safety legislation. Even while the rates of mass shootings have picked up. Although this was the first gun reform bill in a decade, the law has failed to ban assault weapons. and access to these firearms continues to be far too easy. 

Advocates for gun reform continue to push for change. Kris Brown, the president of Brady: United Against Gun Violence told CNN, “Americans are tired of fearing if they or their families will be the next victims of a mass shooting. Our children are tired of being told to 'run, hide, and fight.” Mark S. Kaplan, a professor of social welfare at UCLA also told CNN, "There are real solutions and tools -- including bans on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines -- available now that can make a difference, but only if our elected officials act to implement them.” 

A CNN poll that was conducted a few weeks after the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York revealed that 58% of Americans believed stricter gun control laws would reduce the number of gun-related deaths in the country. However, until lawmakers on Capitol Hill reflect this majority, there is no gun safety legislation in our future, and gun violence will continue to plague America. We do not need more thoughts and prayers. We need change.