Topline
More than 300 mass shootings have occurred across the country this year, according to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive, as 2023 remains on pace to become the deadliest year for mass shootings in recent history.
Police cordon off the area where at least one person was killed and 22 others wounded in a shooting ... [+]
Key Facts
The U.S. has reported 311 mass shootings in 2023 as of early Monday morning, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
The total number of mass shootings crossed the 300 mark on Sunday—the earliest in any year this gruesome milestone has been reached since the GVA began tracking them in 2014.
In comparison, in 2021 and 2022—the two deadliest years for mass shootings in the U.S.—the 300 mark was reached on June 25 and July 3, respectively.
The GVA defines a mass shooting as four or more people—excluding the shooter—being shot.
The difference is even starker when comparing mass murders—incidents where four or more died from gunshots aside from the shooter—as 23 such incidents have been reported so far this year, compared to 16 and 14 during the same period in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
That works out to nearly one mass murder per week in the first half of 2023.
Surprising Fact
More mass shootings have occurred so far this year than throughout 2014.
News Peg
A series of mass shootings across the country over Juneteenth weekend left at least six people dead and several injured, according to the Associated Press. At least 20 people were shot, resulting in one death, in a Chicago area suburb on Saturday night at a Juneteenth celebration event. In Pennsylvania, one police officer was killed and another was severely injured by a gunman who attacked a police facility. Other mass shootings were reported in Washington State, Missouri, California and Baltimore.
Key Background
The spate of mass shootings in the U.S. this year has led to renewed calls for more gun control measures. While Democrats, including President Joe Biden, have pushed for an assault weapons ban, such legislative efforts have largely been dead on arrival due to opposition from the Republicans. As mass shootings have become more prevalent, gun ownership across the country has also risen—often spiking after high-profile shootings. Last year, Congress passed bipartisan legislation that implemented some gun control measures like enhanced background checks for buyers under the age of 21 and incentives that encourage states to implement so-called “red flag laws.” However, the legislation stopped short of restricting access to assault rifles or banning high-capacity magazines as it failed to gain support from Republicans. Republicans have vocally opposed any significant gun control measures, blaming mass shooting incidents on mental health issues and law and order problems—for which they have blamed Democrats. Some GOP-led states have also called for placing armed officers at every school to prevent school shootings.
Further Reading
At least 6 killed, dozens injured in weekend shootings across US (Associated Press)
Over 200 Killed In U.S. Mass Shootings So Far This Year—A Decade-Long High (Forbes)
2023 Off To Historically Fast Start For Mass Shootings (Forbes)
