Over the weekend, there were two mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas, killing a total of 29 people. According to CBS News, there are now 251 mass shootings recorded in the US just this year. While politicians and Pres. Donald Trump have expressed their grief to the victims and their families, several people are calling BS.
Netizens, including celebrities, are slamming the US government for only offering “thoughts and prayers,” but not enacting gun control reform. Rihanna even called out Trump for not calling this an act of terrorism. “Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA!” she wrote on Instagram.
I am sick to my stomach over what has happened in El Paso today. I can’t believe this is happening in my country and no one is doing anything about it. Who has to die for laws to change?
— Lili Reinhart (@lilireinhart) August 3, 2019
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— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) August 3, 2019
Fuck yo thoughts, fuck yo prayers…gun fucking regulations now, please!!
— Monét X Change (@monetxchange) August 4, 2019
Meanwhile, Gigi Hadid and John Legend pit the blame on Trump for how he inspires White supremacy in America.
When we condemn the racist venom coming from the President's mouth and point out the bigotry of his policies, it's not an academic question, it's not a political game, it's about life and death. The President regularly inspires killers. He is a part of the problem
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 4, 2019
A 2017 Pew Research study found that 40 percent of Americans own a gun or live in a household with one. BBC also noted that the US has the most civilians who have access to firearms.
If you’re wondering why the US government hasn’t done anything to mitigate this growing problem, the reality is the House of Representatives passed a gun control legislation last February. But as Quartz noted, the Senate, where Republicans maintain the majority, didn’t sign or debate the new regulations. What’s more troubling is that the last time the federal government successfully passed a law to limit the spread and use of guns in the country was 25 years ago.
That said, the Democrats, particularly the 2020 presidential candidates, have called on to the Senate to reconvene in the wake of the shootings. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer tweeted at Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to pass the gun control legislation that was passed last February. “McConnell must call the Senate back for an emergency session to put the House-passed universal background checks legislation on the Senate floor for debate and a vote immediately,” he said.
El Paso, Dayton, one awful event after another. @SenateMajLdr McConnell must call the Senate back for an emergency session to put the House-passed universal background checks legislation on the Senate floor for debate and a vote immediately.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 4, 2019
We want to extend our condolences to the families of the victims. We pray that actual change comes after several horrific shootings that’s happened. This should NOT be normalized.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash
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