Record-Breaking Six Months: Unprecedented Wave of Mass Killings in the US

In small towns and large cities, at home and in public, the United States has witnessed a relentless surge of violence, leading to a grim and unprecedented milestone: the deadliest six months of mass killings recorded since at least 2006.

Between January 1 and June 30, the nation experienced a staggering 28 mass killings, with all but one involving firearms. Week after week, the death toll continued to climb, perpetuating a cycle of violence and sorrow.

Over the span of 181 days, 28 mass killings claimed the lives of 140 victims, painting a grim reality within a single country.

Prominent Republican Brent Leatherwood, whose three children were present during a tragic shooting at a Nashville Christian school on March 27, expressed his shock, saying, “What a ghastly milestone. You never think your family would be a part of a statistic like that.” Leatherwood, residing in a state that has yet to strengthen gun laws, now advocates for stricter measures to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of potentially violent individuals.

The term “mass killing” refers to an incident where four or more people, excluding the assailant, are killed within a 24-hour period. The Big Big News and USA Today, in collaboration with Northeastern University, maintain a database that tracks such large-scale acts of violence since 2006.

The record-breaking milestone of 2023 surpassed the previous high of 27 mass killings, which was set only in the second half of 2022. Professor James Alan Fox, a criminologist at Northeastern University, expressed astonishment at these unprecedented statistics, stating, “We used to say there were two to three dozen a year. The fact that there’s 28 in half a year is a staggering statistic.”

However, the chaos of the first half of 2023 does not necessarily condemn the latter half to a similar fate. The remainder of the year could prove to be calmer, despite recent violence during the Fourth of July weekend.

Dr. Amy Barnhorst, associate director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California, Davis, remains cautiously optimistic, suggesting, “Hopefully it was just a blip… There could be fewer killings later in 2023, or this could be part of a trend. But we won’t know for some time.”

Experts like Barnhorst and Fox attribute the rising bloodshed to the combination of a growing population and an increasing number of firearms in the United States. Nonetheless, mass killings, despite capturing headlines, remain statistically rare and represent only a fraction of the country’s overall gun violence.

Fox emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective, stating, “We need to keep it in perspective.”

Nevertheless, mass violence often prompts discussions and attempts to reform gun laws, even if the outcomes are not always successful.

In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee, a Republican, called upon the General Assembly to pass legislation aimed at preventing individuals who pose a risk to themselves or others from accessing firearms, commonly known as “red flag laws.” However, such measures face an uphill battle in Tennessee, where the Republican-led Legislature adjourned without addressing gun control. As a result, Governor Lee has scheduled a special session in August to address the issue.

Leatherwood, a former executive director of the Tennessee Republican Party and the current head of the influential Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm, penned a letter to lawmakers urging them to support the governor’s proposal. Having experienced the shooting firsthand, Leatherwood does not want any other family to endure what his children went through. He recalls one of his kids asking if a similar incident could occur at their recent sleepaway camp, expressing concern for their safety.

The Nashville shooter, whose writings Leatherwood and other parents are seeking to keep private, used three guns in the attack, including an AR-15-style rifle. According to the database, this incident was one of at least four mass killings in the first half of 2023 involving such a weapon.

Out of the 28 mass killings during this period, 27 involved firearms. The remaining case was a tragic fire that claimed four lives in a home in Monroe, Louisiana. A 37-year-old man has been arrested on charges of arson and murder in connection with the incident on March 31.

Despite the unprecedented level of carnage, the National Rifle Association (NRA) remains staunchly opposed to firearm regulation, including restrictions on AR-15-style rifles and similar weapons. NRA spokesperson Billy McLaughlin emphasized their commitment to self-defense rights and criticized President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for their efforts to curtail the Second Amendment.

Tito Anchondo, whose brother Andre Anchondo was among the victims of the 2019 mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, expressed his concern for the future and the need for significant change. Anchondo believes the country has largely forgotten about the El Paso victims and feels that not enough has been done to prevent further bloodshed. He worries about the safety of his 4-year-old nephew, who escaped the shooting with broken bones.

In conclusion, the United States faces an alarming surge in mass killings, reaching an unprecedented level of violence in the first half of 2023. While experts emphasize the need for perspective and caution about drawing long-term conclusions, advocates for gun control push for stricter measures to address the issue and prevent further loss of life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about mass killings

More about mass killings

• USA Today – Mass Shootings Database
• Northeastern University – Gun Violence Archive
• The National Rifle Association (NRA)
• Violence Prevention Research Program – UC Davis
• Tennessee General Assembly
• The Big Big News
• University of California, Davis – School of Medicine
• Walmart Mass Shooting in El Paso, Texas – CNN