Defining what constitutes a “mass shooting” depends on the parameters you choose. My numbers are based on Wikipedia statistics.
- 2019 as of July 31: 248 shootings, 248 dead, 979 injured, 1.2 shootings per day
- 2018: 323 shootings, 387 dead, 1,274 injured, 0.88 shootings per day
- 2017: 345 shootings, 117 dead, 463 injured, 0.94 shootings per day (statistics from AOL)
Are you seeing a trend here? The NRA says, “Guns don’t kill people. People kill people.” Then why weren’t the shooters throwing rocks or inserting the bullets manually?
My personal feelings, and I’m a military veteran, are much stronger than my proposals. We need to be realistic in a highly polarized political environment. We need to focus on steps that are doable, not ones that aren’t feasible. I suggest you call your congressional delegation, especially Sens. Cory Gardner and Michael Bennet and demand:
- Universal background checks. No exceptions.
- Close the “gun show” loophole. Gun shows should have a desk where a private seller can have a purchaser checked through the national database same as a licensed firearms dealer. No exceptions.
- A national red flag law with appropriate rights to have the ban lifted after completion of qualified mental health counseling.
- Mandatory reporting by the military to the national database for private gun offenses while serving on active duty. No exceptions.
Many will say these proposals go too far. Others will say not far enough. Can’t they serve as a reasonable starting point for action?
I’ve called my congressmen. How about you?
- Bennet: 303-455-7600
- Gardner: 30-391-5777
- Rep. Joe Neguse: 303-335-1045