As the incidents of ‘guncide’ keep increasing, this time there has been a mass shooting over the weekend. A gunman opened fire in a Texas mall parking lot, Allen Premium Outlets, resulting in several deaths and injuries to several people including children.
The shooter was brought down by a police officer who was on the scene in a police encounter. The authorities shifted at least 9 people to trauma facilities in Texas, and 9 people have officially dead. 7 have sustained injuries and 3 are in critical condition.
The incident has shocked the Indian community as they shop big-time at the mall before coming to India. Since it will be summer vacation soon in the US, many Indians shop at the mall to gift back home.
Meanwhile, anti-gun voices have intensified in Texas. People are tweeting as to how the gun laws are weak and how the Texas government is doing nothing to stop it. There is also debate on issuing gun licenses that are leading to homicide and gun suicide. They also point out that Texas is home to four of the 10 deadliest mass shootings in the US. Texans own among the most guns per capita of any state as per the official govt statistics.
Also, some have complained that in the past few years, the lawmakers had reduced the required safety training, allowed the open carrying of handguns, forced guns on college campuses, and passed permit-less carry.
Recently President Biden announced new actions to reduce gun violence and make the communities safer but it looks like the situation still remains unchanged. This cycle of gun violence remains sad, predictable, and permanent.
