Another Senseless Mass Killing Spree

As of today, there’s been over 500 mass shootings in the United States in 2023. More than 35,000 people killed from gun violence! Maine mass shooting is the deadliest in the U. S. this year.

I have so many thoughts going through my head right now, it’s not even funny. Every time there’s a “mass shooting” we listen to the politicians got on the TV and give us the old standby, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed and injured in this horrific incident.”

Well, guess what, Mr. politician. The families of the people killed and injured don’t need your “thoughts and prayers.” They have us, the people of this nation, their neighbors, friends, all giving them our prayers and support.

What they NEED from you is one thing. ACTION! They need you to get off your asses, quit this damn inner-bickering, fighting, and accusing everyone across the aisle of bullshit that you know isn’t true, and do some legislative work for a change.

Now, I’m going to throw some statistics at you. I hope you are able to keep up, and understand these.

This is from ABC News the link is at the end of the copy:

“As of Oct. 26, at least 35,275 people have died from gun violence in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive – which is an average of almost 118 deaths each day.

Of those who died, 1,157 were teens and 246 were children.

Deaths by suicide have made up the vast majority of gun violence deaths this year. There's been 19,734 deaths by gun suicide this year, an average of about 66 deaths by suicide per day in 2023.

The majority of these deaths have occurred in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois and Louisiana.

The grim tally of gun violence deaths includes 1,173 people killed in police officer-involved shootings. Fourty-one police officers have been fatally shot in the line of duty this year.

There also have been 960 "unintentional" shootings, the Gun Violence Archive shows.

There have been more than 565 mass shootings in 2023 so far, which is defined by the Gun Violence Archive as an incident in which four or more victims are shot or killed. These mass shootings have led to 597 deaths and 2,380 injuries.

Fatal Gun Violence in 2023

ABC News Photo Illustration, gunviolencearchive.org

The above is shared from:

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/US/116-people-died-gun-violence-day-us-year/story?id=97382759

The Maine mass shouting is the deadliest shooting incident of 2023, to date.

A memorial for victims of a mass shooting in Louisville, Ky., in April.

(Credit...Natosha, via for The New York Times)

Here are the other mass shootings that have occurred in the United States so far this year:

• Monterey Park, Calif.: A 72-year-old man opened fire at a Lunar New Year dance in a popular ballroom on Jan. 21, killing eleven people and wounding nine. The gunman died of a self-inflicted gunshot. Officials called it the deadliest mass shooting in Los Angeles County’s history.

• Half Moon Bay, Calif.: A 67-year-old man targeted two mushroom farms where he had worked, killing seven people and wounding one on Jan. 23.

• Nashville: Three children and three adults were killed on March 27 at a small Christian elementary school by a 28-year-old former student who then was fatally shot by police officers.

• Louisville: A 25-year-old man killed five colleagues with a rifle at the downtown bank where he worked on April 10. Five others were wounded. Police killed the suspect, who officials said livestreamed the attack.

• Allen, Texas: A 33-year-old man killed eight people and wounded seven others at a Dallas-area shopping center on May 6. A police officer shot and killed the gunman.

• Philadelphia: A 40-year-old man wearing a ski mask and body armor killed five people and injured two on July 3.

• Hampton, Ga.: Four people were killed on July 15 in an Atlanta suburb. The 40-year-old gunman was killed in a later shootout with the police, after wounding a sheriff’s deputy and two officers.

From New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/26/us/mass-shootings-this-year-maine.html?auth=login-google1tap&login=google1tap

Wednesday night, just over 24 hours ago, a lone gunman walked into three establishments in Lewiston, Maine with an assault weapon, killing 18 (to date) and injuring 13. Of these 13 injured, 6 still are listed in critical condition in the area hospital.

Maine Shootings

• Here’s what we know about the shootings.

• F.B.I. agents swarm properties owned by suspect’s family.

• Representative Jared Golden of Maine calls for a ban on assault weapons, reversing a long-held stance.

• After an excruciating night of waiting, a father mourns his son.

• Search for gunman in Maine joins a long list of notable manhunts.

I’m not going to copy the long list of mass shootings for this year. If you are interested in them, please click this link. And be prepared to have deep thoughts go through your head. This is from Gun Violence Archive:

https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/reports/mass-shooting

The question, or questions, I have running through my head are the same ones I’ve always asked, on every shooting.

1. Why do we have politicians that all they can offer are “thoughts and prayers?”

2. How many more have to die before our politicians quit taking big money from these groups, line the NRA, and all the other gun lobbyists?

3. When will our elected officials in the states, as well as federal level decide to do something about the gun laws?

Do you realize that the state of Maine is a state where you don’t have to have a permit to carry a firearm! Just line Tennessee, Florida, and no telling how many more states now.

One politician has changed his mind on allowing assault weapons in the hands of citizens. It took the worst mass shooting incident in this country this year for him to change his mind.

Congressman Jared Golden, representing Lewiston and Maine's second district has called on Congress to ban assault rifles.

This comes as a strong departure from his previous position generally opposed to restrictions on gun ownership.

"I propose that we should ban deadly weapons of war like the assault rifle used to carry out this crime. The time has now come for me to take responsibility for this failure, which is why I now call on the United States Congress to ban assault rifles like the one used by this sick perpetrator of this mass killing," Golden said.

Golden would later ask forgiveness and support from the community:

"To the families who lost loved ones and to those who have been harmed, I ask forgiveness and support as I seek to put an end to these terrible shootings. In the days to come, I will give everything I have to support this communities recovery."

President Biden mourns the devastating Lewiston, Maine mass shooting, deeming it "senseless and tragic," urging GOP for tighter gun control to curb the alarming gun violence trend in the US. (AP File/Susan Walsh

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have spoken out about the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine.

“Once again, our nation is in mourning after yet another senseless and tragic mass shooting," Biden wrote. "Jill and I are praying for the Americans who’ve lost their lives, for those still in critical care, and for the families, survivors, and community members enduring shock and grief."

"I have directed my administration to provide everything that is needed to support the people of Maine," Biden said. "We will continue to be there every step of the way."

Thus is what President Biden is asking Congress to do:

1. Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

2. Enact universal background checks.

3. Require safe storage of guns.

4. End immunity from liability for gun manufacturers.

"This is the very least we owe every American who will now bear the scars — physical and mental — of this latest attack," Biden wrote.

"Lewiston, Maine became yet another community torn apart by senseless gun violence," Harris said. "This time a bowling alley and a restaurant have been turned into scenes of unimaginable carnage."

Harris urged people in communities across Maine to follow the warnings and guidance of local officials as the investigation proceeds.

"Let us also continue to speak truth about the moment we are in," Harris said in the written statement. "Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in our nation. It does not have to be this way."

Harris said Congress can and must make background checks universal. "Pass red flag laws. Ban high-capacity magazines. And renew the assault weapons ban," Harris wrote.

As her state mourns 18 dead in latest shooting spree, Susan Collins is now facing criticism for her votes against gun control laws

Maine's Republican U.S. Senator Susan Collins said on social media:

"As our state mourns this horrific mass shooting, we appreciate the support we’ve received from across the country, including the call I received from President Biden offering assistance,"

“Today I looked at my window in Washington, and I saw that the flags had been lowered, and I realized that had been done to horror the victims of this attack,” Collin's said.

Collins says President Joe Biden called her to offer any federal help.

Angus King, Maine's Independent U.S. Senator,

Angus King, Maine's Independent U.S. Senator, said he was headed back to Maine from Washington to support Lewiston in any way possible.

https://www.msnbc.com/andrea-mitchell-reports/watch/maine-s-sen-king-shooting-is-one-of-the-darkest-days-i-can-remember-an-incredible-shock-to-us-196478021572

"This isn't typical," King said. "This is very unusual, something that's never happened in on this scale, in this state. We're going to get through it. But to think what these families are going through is unimaginable."

Just in case you can’t tell, this pisses me the hell off!

Over 500 mass shootings this year alone. Over 400 of those had 4 or more people killed. Shooting incidents this year has resulted in over 35,000 Americans deaths. OVER 35,000 PEOPLE HAVE DIED!!!

Seriously! Are you F***ING KIDDING ME???!!!

What the hell does it take for you politicians to get off your ass and do something? Write a Bill that President Biden will sign. A NATIONAL BAN on assault weapons. Write a Bill that has some teeth to it! Damn! There’s children dying from gun violence, and citizens, men, women, children, dying from sine fill having an assault weapon walking into an establishment and killing people!

The time is NOW! GET IT DONE!