Dissecting America's gun violence epidemic

Plus, the stories of the Uvalde victims.

View this email online May 29, 2022 This week, we look at why the U.S. is so uniquely terrible at protecting kids from gun violence and key statistics that lay the foundation for the gun control debate. Scott’s weekly weigh-in Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images On another week covering sad and searing news — from Buffalo, Ukraine and Uvalde — we had a staff meeting that warmed me. People spoke openly about how emotionally tough it can be to cover many of these events, and said we should take care of ourselves, and each other, and share our feelings.   It made me reflect on when I began my life as a reporter, more than 40 years ago, and went from crime scenes to battles to morgues and killing fields without ever being told, or even encouraging myself, to reflect and repair my emotions (too many did it with drink or drugs). The thought then, especially among Chicago crime reporters and international war correspondents, was that you had to be tough to cover tough news. We also reminded each other that it wasn’t our child that had been hurt, or our village devastated. If we survived, we got to go home to some place safe.   I worked for fine people, who cared for me in all ways. But I was reluctant to ever say that what I was reporting depressed me. I would have been embarrassed to admit that I wanted help, and worried I would no longer be called to cover tough and demanding stories.   I am glad those days are over. Reporters will have better lives — and our reporting will be sharper and wiser — if we understand the human dimensions, including our own.   My essay this week is on the landscape of mass shootings that we see in America. Real news organizations look for voices that we know might upset some, but reflect many views. Suzanna Gratia Hupp, who survived a mass shooting in which her parents died, has become an advocate for concealed weapons. We tried to hear and question those views. And astronomer Kim Arcand let us hear the sound of a black hole, on a good week to hear it. Scott Simon Scott Simon is one of NPR's most renowned news anchors. He is the host of Weekend Edition Saturday and one of the hosts of the morning news podcast Up First. Be sure to listen to him every Saturday on your local NPR station, and follow him on Twitter. Newsletter continues after sponsor message How to understand America’s gun problem   Dario Lopez-Mills/AP The mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, just 10 days apart, have striking resemblances — both gunmen were 18, male and used legally bought AR-15-style rifles. Together, the two massacres have shone a spotlight, once again, on the staggering frequency of gun violence in America compared to other wealthy countries. But the school shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde underscores another grim facet: Children are more likely to die from gun violence in the United States than in any other rich nation. Consider these two facts alone: A study of 29 countries found that the U.S. accounted for almost 97% of all firearm deaths among kids 4 years old or younger — and 92% among those ages 5 to 14. In 2020, gun violence overtook car accidents as the No. 1 cause of death for American kids and adolescents. And while overall firearm-related deaths increased 13.5% between 2019 and 2020, they surged a staggering 30% among children. One of the main contributing factors in that astounding toll lies in another figure: the sheer amount of guns in the country. While the U.S. makes up just 4% of the global population, Americans own nearly 46% of the world’s estimated 857 million civilian-held firearms. Who were the victims in Uvalde?   Jae C. Hong/AP Jose Flores Jr., 10, was “always full of energy,” his father said. Irma Garcia, 48, who devoted more than 20 years of her life to teaching at Robb Elementary, loved to BBQ with her husband, who had a fatal heart attack two days after her death. Uziyah Garcia, 8, had just begun to learn football pass patterns, under the watchful instruction of his grandpa. And Xavier Lopez, 10, had received an honor roll certificate just hours before the gunman opened fire and killed him. Here’s what we know about the 21 victims. Leer en Español. Where do we go from here?   Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images In the aftermath of Columbine, Parkland, Sandy Hook and the nearly 1,000 other school shootings since 2012, Republicans have generally said they wouldn't support gun control measures. In the last few days, several GOP lawmakers have reiterated that sentiment. Nonetheless, some senators are racing to develop a deal on new gun legislation by the time the Senate returns from its Memorial Day recess. Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy is leading the charge. On the floor of the Senate, Chuck Schumer, the majority leader, said, "Not trying everything is not acceptable to the families who have lost their loved ones.” There is much heated debate over which policies could end America’s scourge of gun violence. Researchers at Johns Hopkins analyzed decades of data and identified two specific policies that may help lower the rate of deadly mass shootings: Requiring gun purchasers to go through a licensing process. Banning the sale of large-capacity magazines or ammunition-feeding devices for semiautomatic weapons. And some of the most common refrains among gun rights advocates — like the need to relax rules so more people can carry firearms for self-defense — well, they aren’t supported by the data at all, one researcher says. We will leave you with the note one 10-year-old from Uvalde left at the memorial for her closest friend who was killed in the shooting. Hey Jackie, I love and miss you so much. It will be so different without you. I planned to have a lot of sleepovers with you. Rest in Peace Jackie. Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to hear live radio from WUFT 89.1 (edit station). Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy