On Average, States with More Guns Have More Mass Shootings as Well as More Incidents of Daily Gun Violence
CHICAGO – On Saturday night, at least five people were killed and 18 others were wounded when a gunman opened fire inside Club Q, an LGBTQ in Colorado Springs. Earlier on Saturday evening, the club hosted a drag show and was planning a drag brunch in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is today. Officials credit patrons of the club with subduing the gunman. According to an FBI analysis of 160 active shooter events, tragedies like this rarely end with a so-called “good guy with a gun” returning fire and are much more likely to end with unarmed civilians restraining the shooter, as was likely the case in Colorado Springs last night.
“Today Americans woke up to yet another reminder that our loved ones will not be safe until we change our nation’s gun culture,” said Nina Vinik, founder and executive director of Project Unloaded. “Some people will hear about this tragedy, feel afraid, and decide to arm themselves, but more guns is a recipe for more violence – not added safety. As a country, we need to have a frank conversation about the culture that encourages angry, distressed young men to arm themselves. And we need to have a conversation with all our loved ones about the fact that more guns won’t make us safer.”
Facts on how guns make us all less safe are available here. The FBI’s analysis of the rise in hate crimes against LGBTQ people is available here. The Human Rights Campaign has additional resources here as well.
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