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The unsub came with an AR-15. This is a lightweight assault rifle with enormous destructive power that became America’s standard weapon after the attacks of September 11, 2001. But also the weapon of choice of assassins, such as in the disasters in Aurora (12 killed), Newtown (28), San Bernardino (14), Sutherland Springs (26), Las Vegas (58) – and now in the town of Texas Allen.
MG, 33, opened fire with an AR-15 near an outlet mall on Saturday, killing eight people, including children. A police officer who was at the mall due to another incident was able to stop him with a fatal shot.
Pandemic and right-wing extremism
Americans have been fighting over stricter gun laws for years. So far without results. Meanwhile, the number of so-called mass shootings continued to rise: the sad record was held in 2021 with 690 massacres. That year, 21,028 people died from guns in the United States. When you add up the suicides, the figure is more than twice as high.
Reason for the increase: The pandemic made people aggressive. In addition, right-wing extremism – a common background to attacks – has been on the rise in the US since President Donald Trump (76).
Stricter gun laws
On November 5, 2024, there will be a presidential election in the US. The two most promising candidates, incumbent Democratic President Joe Biden (80) and Republican Donald Trump, who was voted out in 2020, are already positioning themselves. Both want to curb gun violence, but both in completely different ways.
Biden said after Saturday’s killing spree, “I call on Congress once again to introduce a bill banning assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.” He also demands general checks, safe storage and the lifting of immunity from arms manufacturers.
All of his demands have so far been rejected by Republicans in Congress.
With violence against violence
Donald Trump has not commented on the recent incident in Texas. In mid-April, he pledged to the National Rifle Association (NRA) to defend and even expand the rights of gun owners. It’s not a gun problem, Trump said. “It’s a psychological problem, it’s a social problem, it’s a cultural problem, it’s a spiritual problem,” he said.
How he would respond to the rising violence became clear shortly after the shooting in the small Texas town of Uvalde on May 24, 2022, which killed two teachers and 19 students: Trump then called for the teachers to be armed, as well as armed security forces and metal detectors to protect students from scrutiny.
Hardliners want their freedom
According to several surveys, a clear majority of Americans support restrictions on gun rights. But her voice is low. US expert Claudia Brühwiler (41) from the University of St. Gallen says: “So far, questions about gun legislation or the limitation of gun ownership have failed to mobilize decisively.”
This is easier with the proponents of unlimited gun rights. According to Claudia Brühwiler, they see this as their “first freedom” and only support those politicians recommended by the NRA. Brühwiler: “You do not regard states that want to disarm their citizens as truly democratic states. Moreover, the right to bear arms was the prerogative of full citizens.”
Serbia acts
It depends on “possible events before the election” whether mass shootings become a crucial campaign theme, says Claudia Brühwiler. Another issue has a clear priority for Americans: “Usually issues like the economic situation are at the top of voters’ lists of priorities.”
Serbia has now also gained experience with massacres, with two attacks in recent weeks claiming a total of 17 lives. Unlike the United States, President Aleksandar Vucic (53) did not hesitate. He immediately decided on a moratorium on issuing gun licenses and thorough checks on gun owners. Vucic: “We will completely disarm Serbia.”
It is an intention that Biden does not even dare to dream of.
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
