Why All the Violence in the U.S.A?
Gun Violence in America
Over the years there have been a number of incidents involving, violence, guns and children in America. Crime is rife in many countries throughout the world but why does America have such violent crime in the most unexpected places?
Schools, movie theatres and grocery stores are the targets for unnecessary violence and raging lunatics in the United States and gun violence has increased even though the crime rate has decreased by 1%.
So why have there been so many violent outbursts which has involved innocent people and children after angry and unexpected shooters opened fire?
283 million guns are owned by civilians in America.
4.5 million guns are sold in the U.S.A. per year.
More than 30 people are shot each day and half of them are between 18 and 35 years of age. A quarter of them are under the age of 20.
67% of the homicides were conducted with firearms.
The highest death gun rate is in Louisiana.
Anyone can purchase a gun in the U.S.A.
The United States Gun Law
Each State has a different law and in some states they have banned assault weapons.
Forty four states have a provision in their state constitutions, similar to the second amendment (the right to bear arms.)
In some states you are required to have a license or a permit for a firearm, some suggest you register with the local police, some give them the right to carry a concealed weapon, others have a "stand your ground" law, which allows people to defend themselves.
Do you think that they should alter the 2nd amendment?
Why is there gun violence in U.S.A?
In many countries there is violence and most countries have strict laws on carrying a firearm. The second amendment gives the public the right to bear arms to protect themselves.
Amendment II
A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.
There is no federal law prohibiting citizens from carrying a weapon for self defence reasons. Some schools are gun free zones and a rifle or shotgun may be purchased by an eighteen year old.
In 31 states firearms are legally allowed to be carried without a license.
People who have been arrested, have a criminal record or have been indited for a crime, may not purchase or own a firearm.
The second amendment is the right to bear arms and that causes a problem for public safety
Children have easy access to weapons
Lack of parenting, bad mental health and violence in the movies and games can cause children to become violent, with no regard for human life
Each state in U.S.A. has different gun laws
Tragic Public Shootings
There have been may incidents and devastating attacks on innocent people. It happens in many countries and in most places the guns have been illegally bought or made for use in a crime.
School shootings have been vast and there is a list of where and who did it.
Not for sensitive viewers - Columbine
School Shootings from 1990
Richardson, Texas - A sixteen year old boy named Jeremy Wade was sent out of the class to get an admittance slip but returned to class with a gun, where he shot himself.
California - A teenager aimed and fired a gun at a security guard who was chasing a few teens off of the premises at a school, the shot missed the guard and killed a young boy.
Iowa - A former student of 28 years old killed four faculty staff and a student at a University, before committing suicide.
Oklahoma - A fourteen year old shot a seventeen year old at a high school.
New York - a fifteen year old shot two fellow students at a school before a visit from the mayor.
California - A twenty year old took siege at his former school and killed four people, after failing a grade.
Massachusetts - 18 year old killed 1 student and 1 professor
Kentucky - 17 year old killed 1 teacher and 1 custodian
Texas - 17 year old shot another 17 year old in the back of the head for insulting a girl.
Michigan - High school teacher killed a superintendent and injured two other faculty members after a staff meeting.
Washington - 15 year old - shot two fellow students
California - 16 year old shot three people and then committed suicide
California - 36 year old ex student shot three professors
Texas - 25 year old shot librarian four times and then committed suicide
Pennsylvania - 19 years killed 1 student and injured 2 others
Alaska - 19 year old killed the principal and 1 student
Mississippi - 16 year old killed his mother and ex girlfriend before injuring others at school.
Florida - 14 year old killed student over a watch
Kentucky - 13 year old killed 3 people and injured others
Arkansas - 11 and 13 year old killed 4 students and 1 teacher also injuring 7 others
Oregon - 15 year old killed his parents and then 2 students at school along with 25 injuries
Colorado - 18 and 17 year old killed 12 students, 1 teacher and injured 25 others then committed suicide
Georgia - 15 year old shot 6 students
California - 2 girls were shot whilst walking out of the school grounds
New Mexico - 13 year old boy killed a 13 year old girl
Oklahoma - 12 year old opened fire in a pre - school
A world gone mad
Children with Guns - Why is it such a big problem?
This year has brought a mass of homicides and suicides to schools and although there are protective measures taken with metal detectors, security on the premises and many other safety measures it still has not changed the fact that children are walking around with no regard for human life.
Could it be violence in the movies, games or lack of parenting?
Easy access to guns and bad mental health disorders could also be a cause and the statistics have not changed, even with "lock downs" at schools.
2000 to now School shootings
Michigan - 6 year old killed 1 classmate
Florida - teacher shot by 13 year old student
From the year 2000 to 2009 - 170 people were killed involving schools and committed by teenagers with major casualties.
The list goes on and on and the question is why did they do it?
Some were teased at school, some were said to have been in satanic cults and others just lost their cool, taking innocent people down.
Most of the states were Florida, California, Arkansas, New York, Alabama, Colorado, Texas, A few in Washington, Mississippi and Ohio.
Deadliest Public Shootings
In 1984 an unemployed security guard opened fire in a McDonald's killing 21 people.
1986 - A postal worker about to be fired shot 14 people and himself in Oklahoma.
1990 - James Pough kills 10 people and himself in an office after randomly shooting
1991 - 23 people killed, 20 wounded and shooter commits suicide, after opening fire in a cafeteria
1999 - 12 classmates, teacher and 2 suicides with 26 wounded in Colorado, after opening fire randomly at the Columbine high school
2007 - 32 people and shooter killed after he opened fire at a college campus in Virginia
2009 - 10 people including mother, wife, child and 4 other relatives were killed in Alabama
2011 - gunman kills 6 and injures 13 outside a grocery store in Arizona (schizophrenic)
2012 - 12 people killed and others wounded by gunman that released a gas canister and then opened fire in a movie theater in Colorado during "Dark Knight Rises."
2012 - 12 people killed, including children at an elementary school in Connecticut.
These shootings were by people of different age groups but all in public places with random hits.
Prevent Gun Violence
Weapons should be out of reach of children and if you do have one, ensure that it is locked away and only the parents know where the key is.
Teach children to love and give them love all the time.
Look for possible mood swings and signs of children behaving differently and do not avoid any problems or issues.
Ensure that you are aware of what is going on in your teenagers life at all times.
Prevent children from playing violent games and make sure that they take a break from indoor activity, allowing them to get fresh air and sunshine with exercise.
