[ ⚠ ]: uncensored cursing, triggering content, etc.

Happy National Gun Violence Awareness Day everyone <3

Now, let me tell you a bit or two about mass shootings and well, gun violence, in general.

In 2019, US saw the highest number of mass shootings on record. By the end of 2019, the number of mass shootings in US had reached a record 417.

That's right. There were more mass shootings (in America) than there were days, in that year. US had so many mass shootings in 2019 that it surpassed the number of days in that year. How the hell is that even effing possible?

That's like having 1.15 shooting every day for the entire goddamn year.

1.15 shootings. A day.

Just imagine the number of deaths.

And guess what? GVA (Gun Violence Archive) has said that in 2019 alone there was a total of 15,381 gun deaths - including homicides, suicides and accidents - and 29,568 injuries from guns.

15k deaths. 29k injuries.

All from guns.

Guns that you can just buy from convenience stores. Guns that anyone can own. In the US at least.

The United States of America is the easiest place in the world to buy and own guns. Period.

The estimated number of guns per capita (in USA) is around 1.13, meaning that there are more guns owned by the people there than there are people themselves.

US is literally the only place you can get a gun at a Walmart. In fact, in most states a background check isn't required unless you're buying from a federally licensed firearm dealer.

Anyone can buy a gun there. Anyone.

And that means anyone can get hurt, killed.

If you don't find that shocking and utterly disgusting, I'm telling you, you have no heart.

Goddamn it, I'm actually crying. I want to scream. I want to shout. Because this is killing me. The number of innocent people being murdered just because some irresponsible fuckers decided it'd be nice to shoot some strangers IS MADDENING. It's making me so angry.

I hate this.

I hate this.

And you should too.

Did you know that of the 41 cases of mass killings in 2019, 33 cases involved firearms?

Weapons.

WEAPONS. That untrained, unlicensed civilians can just purchase whenever they wish and use whenever they feel necessary. The lack of gun regulation in the US is disturbing. It's maddening.

It's fatal.

Now, now, we haven't even gotten to the worst part yet.

Everyday, kids all around the globe go to school to learn, to gain knowledge, to become better people, to grow.

Not to die.

So why is it that most American parents send their children to school, subconsciously worrying that their children might become unfortunate victims to a school shooting?

Why is it that school shootings have become so common?

Why are safety drills in case of a school shooting being conducted so often, as though it is an inevitable fate that they have to prepare for?

USA has experienced the highest number of school shootings (since 2009), with a total of around 288.

You have a 39% risk of experiencing a mass shooting if you are at a school in the USA. What is supposed to be a safe and comfortable learning environment, has now become a dangerous place for students, where the possibility of death, or at least serious injuries, from a firearm is dangerously high.

School shootings have risen in numbers to the point where parents are fearful of sending their kids to school.

School.

The fuck.

You go there to learn. Not to die.

Shootings can be stopped. They have to be. Lives are at risk.

Innocent children. Heartbroken parents. Traumatised staff.

So, why is it not being stopped?

Why are we not getting rid of the root of the problem?

Why is the US not supervising the distribution of firearms among its citizens?

There is an average of 88 guns per 100 people in America. 88. That's almost every single person in USA with a gun. A weapon. That could be used to kill you.

That's fucking scary.

And guess what? The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence estimates that around 114,994 people are shot each year in the US.

What the shit.

Now, now, US may not be the only country with a weak gun regulation system, but it has the worst situation among these countries. Meaning America needs stronger armed weapon regulations, asap.

Allowing the purchase of guns by just about anyone not only threatens the safety of school children, but anyone really. Humans make rash decisions. They are guided by their ever changing feelings. They do unwise things without thinking it through. And most of all, they cannot be trusted to handle a weapon responsibly without prior training on how to do so.

You need to be licensed to handle a gun properly to be allowed to buy and own one. That's all I ask for. That guns are regulated safely and only given to those with a proper license and permission to use them.

Safety.

That's it. That's all I want.

Why?

Because a person not trained to use a gun responsibly, will not use it responsibly.

~𝐥𝐢𝐲𝐀🕊
02/06/2021

#wearorange

(p.s. pls do add on your thoughts in the comments! i'd love to hear them)