Following a series of devastating gun violence incidents, these latest attacks are explored in the light of broader gun-related crime trends
In the past seven years, from 2015 to 2022, nearly half of all mass shootings were incidents where the perpetrator targeted a current or former intimate partner or family member, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for action to address domestic violence and gun safety.
A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) sheds light on the prevalence of firearms in American households. Nearly half of participants reported that a firearm is stored in an unlocked location in their home, and over half said at least one gun is stored in the same location as the ammunition. These findings highlight the potential for unintended access to firearms, increasing the risk of accidents and violence.
School shootings have been a persistent concern in America. Most of these incidents are the result of an escalated dispute, according to researcher David Riedman, who tracks all cases in which a gun is fired, brandished, or a bullet hits K-12 school property. In 2025, there were 12 mass shootings on school grounds, according to the Regional Gun Violence Research Consortium at the Rockefeller Institute of Government. This year, Riedman's K-12 School Shooting Database reports over 160 incidents so far.
The Gun Violence Archive reported over 300 mass shootings in 2023, with incidents ranging from high-profile events to those that go unnoticed by the public. These incidents, while often generating a lot of attention, are unfortunately not limited to high-profile events. As Garen Wintemute, director of the Centers for Violence Prevention at the University of California, Davis, points out, most mass shootings are not events that generate a lot of publicity.
Political violence has been on the rise over the past decade, according to terrorism and gun violence experts. In 2023, 1 in 5 respondents in a KFF survey said they have personally been threatened with a gun, while nearly 1 in 6 said they have personally witnessed a person get shot. This trend continued into 2024, with the U.S. Capitol Police investigating over 9,400 'concerning statements and direct threats' against members of Congress - more than twice the number in 2017.
Recent tragedies include the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and a mass shooting at a Minnesota Catholic church that killed two children and injured 21 others. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the ongoing threat of gun violence in America.
In response to these issues, many Americans are taking precautions to protect themselves against gun violence. In the same KFF survey, 84% of all participants said they have taken at least one precaution to protect themselves, such as locking their guns away or avoiding large crowds due to concerns about gun violence.
The issue of gun violence in America is complex and multifaceted, but one thing is clear: it is a problem that affects us all. As we continue to grapple with this issue, it is crucial that we work together to find solutions that will make our communities safer for everyone.
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