ToplineAccording to the Gun Violence Archive data, at least 150 Americans were killed in gun violence incidents involving more than 400 shootings during the Fourth of July weekend. This uptick puts 2021 on track for surpassing the violent surge that made 2020 one of the most deadly years of gun violence in decades.After a mass shooting, the U.S. flags were reduced to half-staff on the grounds surrounding the Washington Monument. Getty ImagesThe Key FactsThe Gun Violence Archive defined mass shootings as four- or more people, excluding the shooter, who are killed or shot during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. This was more than any other weekend this calendar year. This year there were 336 mass shootings, 20 of them in July. That's roughly two per day. Over the holiday weekend there were at least 150 gun violence deaths and more than 400 shootings. However, these numbers could change as new data is collected over the 72-hour period Friday through Sunday. The violence was concentrated in major cities, with 26 deaths in New York City and 14 in Chicago. These figures include eight people who were injured in a shooting close to a Fort Worth car wash, Texas, and four children who were killed in Virginia on Friday.Important BackgroundThe FBI doesn't keep records on mass shootings in the United States and they are not tracked. There is also no consensus definition. However, the FBI does keep track of mass murders but this leaves out a lot of gun violence. Since 2013, the Gun Violence Archive has been keeping track of shootings and shows a steady upward trend in the number killed each day. 2020 saw nearly 20,000 gun violence victims. It was also one of the most deadly years in recent decades. Another 24,000 people committed suicide using a gun that year. Overall, crime declined during the pandemic. However, gun violence and homicides continued to rise. Experts suggest that civil unrest, interruption of court and police operations, and deeper inequalities could be contributing factors. The pandemic saw gun sales spike, with some 300,000. People buying guns without having their background checked.Large Number10,318. According to the Gun Violence Archive, this is how many people have been killed by gun violence so far in 2021. These were children between the ages of 0 and 11, and 629 teens between 12 and 17. Based on CDC data, calculations suggest that there are another 12,342 suicides with guns this year.Important QuoteIn June, President Joe Biden announced plans to combat gun violence. The key focus was on trafficking in areas like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He stated that he was announcing a major crackdown against the...flow of guns used for violent crimes. "It is unacceptable to allow anyone to violate any of the key laws or regulations." The agenda also includes background checks and a ban on assault weapons.Continue readingThe pandemic was not over, and shootings continued unabated (Washington Post).In 2021, More Than One Mass Shooting Per day Has Occurred (Forbes).Gun deaths and shootings continue to rise in large U.S. cities (Forbes).
