March 19, 2024

Law

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How gun control and ownership changed the US crime landscape

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Gun-related crimes such as random shootings have never been more prominent in the United States compared to the rest of the western world, especially among highly-developed nations and wealthy democracies.

Any Virginia Beach criminal lawyer would agree that high-profile gun-related incidents, especially random shootings, have sparked renewed interest in the gun-control debate.

In recent years, the US has been plagued by numerous incidents of random shootings in several states, many of the victims of which as school children. 

Regardless of the demographics of the victims of random shootings, it always comes as a devastating and sad predicament for their loved ones or families. 

It pains every Virginia criminal lawyer to hear the news of another death from random shootings, especially when suspects do not get to see their day in court and leave every surviving family or loved one hanging from seeking the justice they so demand the untimely death of an innocent victim.

Guns used for criminal and other activities

The crime landscape in the United States has changed due to gun-related violence. Recent statistics revealed an average of 310 people of all ages is shot with guns in the United States.

When broken down on a daily basis, there is an average of 100 people who die from gunshots, 210 survive their ordeals.

Of these 95 were injured in a gun attack, 90 were victims of accidental shootings, 4 got killed by legal intervention, 12 shot randomly without any identifiable reason, and one died with unknown intent.

Around 61 people succumbed to death from gun-related suicide and 10 survived a suicide attempt.

There is an average of 21 children aged one to 17 that are shot every day in the US, of which four die from shooting attacks, two are murdered, 17 survive gun injuries, might get injured in a gun attack, eight die from family fire such as a firearm improperly stored or misused resulting to death or injury.

The highest number of gun deaths

There were 39,773 gun deaths recorded in 2017, which became the highest number of gun-related deaths since 1968 in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). 

The two highest-ranking incidents making up this number are gun murders and suicides. 

A study conducted by the Pew Research Center has seen the growing clamor or support for gun control in the US, particularly among the 18 to 29 years old age group, but gun ownership continues to rise and studies have shown that a significant majority opposes a ban or restriction on handgun ownership.

Most of the crimes recorded involve the use of guns, and currently, a lot of people demand better gun laws to better protect Americans from criminal activity involving the use of guns. A move which any Virginia Beach criminal lawyer would want to see and one that could paint a brighter future of peace and prosperity for the nation.