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Gun violence, mass killings in US on rise in 2023

Mass shootings and mass killings have been on the rise in the United States in 2023, reaching alarming levels. According to the USA TODAY/Northeastern University/Associated Press Mass Killings Database, there have been 30 mass killings so far this year, surpassing any other year since at least 2006. These mass killings resulted in nearly 150 deaths and over 70 injuries. Of the 30 incidents, 29 involved guns.

Mass killings are defined as incidents where four or more people, excluding the perpetrator, are killed. The majority of these incidents are shootings, although there was one case of arson. There is also a possible mass killing under investigation in Green Pond, South Carolina, involving stabbing and arson. Public places have not been spared, with eight public mass shootings already occurring this year, resulting in 50 deaths and 60 injuries. This number is already close to the maximum number of public mass shootings the country has ever witnessed in a single year.

The Gun Violence Archive, a publicly sourced database, defines mass shootings as incidents where at least four people are struck by gunfire, excluding the shooter. According to their data, there have been at least 377 mass shootings in 2023, leaving over 400 people dead and more than 1,500 injured. These incidents have occurred in almost every state, with only ten states not witnessing a mass shooting so far.

The trends seen in the first half of the year are concerning, but it's unclear if they will continue throughout the rest of 2023. In the past, there have been periods of high and low incidents of mass killings and shootings. However, the current numbers suggest that this year could potentially be a record-breaking year for mass killings and shootings.

The increase in gun violence in the United States is a significant issue that needs to be addressed. The figures from 2023 alone, with hundreds of lives lost and thousands injured, highlight the urgent need for effective measures to prevent and reduce these incidents. It remains to be seen what actions will be taken to address this ongoing crisis and protect the safety and well-being of the American people.

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