Gun Control in America: A Closer Look at Mass Shootings and Homicides - Essay Sample

Introduction

The struggle to control the purchase of guns in America is on the spot light due to an increase in crime and homicide cases. The recent killings and homicide cases raise questions about deviance together with the gun control measures and regulations that aim at ending the mass murder of innocent citizens. One of the studies reveals that most mass shooters direct their anger toward others (Mohan, pg. 15). In addition to this, most of these individuals do not take responsibility for their failures or setbacks; hence they consider other members of society as blameworthy. This paper focuses on three cases, the Las Vegas, (2017), Orlando, FL Pulse Nightclub shooting (2016) and Columbine High School (1999).

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Las Vegas, (2017)

In America, the number of mass shootings has been on the rise with the recent Las Vegas shooting claiming the life of an estimate of 59 people with 527 injured. The shooter identified as Stephen Paddock age 64 opened fire to a large crowd from a 32nd-floor room in the Mandalay Bay resort. According to Stark, and Shah (2017) this raises concern over the gun control issue which is becoming one of the major leading causes of death in the modern populated society. Numerous articles have been written on the accounts of the events that took place in the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas highlighting on the rising cases of violence due to easy access to ammunition. The different authors create a vivid description of the killings which is essential for the reader for it helps in visualizing the event and creating an image of the trauma and fear in the people running for their lives. The horrific tragedy highlights the issues of security and effective measures the government should take in handling such situations.

Orlando, FL Pulse Nightclub shooting (2016)

The horrific mass murder at the Pulse nightclub In Orlando, Florida shocked many people. Many individuals have tried to analyses different causes, which may result in the reason behind the mass shootings in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Some researchers suggest that the Orlando massacre was an act of terrorism, while others claim that the attack was a matter of hate crime. The night club shooting took place on the 12th of June 2016, by Omar Mateen, leading to the death of 50 innocent individuals and 53 others seriously wounded. The shooter was a 29-year-old Muslim security guard (Kleck, 2016). The mass murder at the gay nightclub shows both evidence of one of the deadliest attacks since 9/11 and a horrific hate crime in the gay community in the United States of America. The nightclub was composed of only gay individuals; it directs our perception towards trying to understand the shooter's attitude towards the LGBTQ community.

Columbine High School (1999)

Numerous articles present a vivid narration of the deadly events which took place at the Columbine High School (1999) in Colorado. The two teenagers gunmen, Dylan Klebold, 17, and Eric Harris, 18 went on a shooting killing an estimate of 13 people twelve being students in a massacre which captured the attention of the media and the nation. According to reports, the two individuals purposely chose Christian, blacks, and jocks as their victims. The authors from different cases continue to refer to the perpetrators as killers while the mention their names and age.

In all the three accounts of mass murders, the journalists focus on the motive, drive and psychological issues surrounding the perpetrators. From my observation, 90 percent of the articles provide the perpetrators, name, and age whereas the remaining 10 percent only focused on the number of victims affected. Recent articles assert that the number of victims continues to rise with an estimate of 10 percent of public deaths originating from gun violence. Furthermore, 80 percent of the perpetrators are individuals aged between 16-25 years of age (Stark, & Shah, 2017). Also, the journalist highlights the increase in intensity due to the lack of effective gun control measures. For instance, in the case of the club shooting, journalist questions the government efforts in controlling access to guns by the public. None, the less, the rising instances of violence create concern on public safety and also urges the government to focus on gun control measures and rehabilitation centers for the recovery process.

References

Kleck, G. (2016). Large-capacity magazines and the casualty counts in mass shootings: the plausibility of linkages. Justice Research and Policy, 17(1), 28-47.

Stark, D. E., & Shah, N. H. (2017). Funding and publication of research on gun violence and other leading causes of death. Jama, 317(1), 84-85.