Gun violence. It’s unfortunately in the news a lot these days.
A new study from the Kaiser Family Foundation reveals that experiences with gun-related incidents are increasingly common among U.S. adults. Irene Kim breaks down the key findings.
Yesterday, five people were killed in Louisville, Kentucky. Two weeks ago, six were killed in Nashville, Tennessee. The weapon used in both tragedies was a gun.
A study published this morning by the Kaiser Family Foundation unveils shocking statistics about Americans’ experiences with gun violence.
The group of researchers behind the study found that about one in five U.S. adults have been threatened with a gun and about the same number have actually witnessed someone being shot. One in five also say a family member was killed by a gun, including incidences of suicide.
The study also unveils that gun violence doesn’t affect all Americans equally - gun-related injuries and deaths, as well as worries about gun violence, disproportionately affect people of color.
For example, one in five Black and Hispanic adults report feeling like gun-related crimes, deaths and injuries are a constant threat to their local community. That’s more than double the share of white people who feel the same. Black adults are also twice as likely to witness someone being shot and to have a family member killed by a gun.
Three in ten Black adults have witnessed someone being shot. That’s over 13 million Americans who have personally witnessed a shooting.
Gun violence in the U.S. is a controversial, and often a partisan issue. But this study found that the prevalence of gun violence is actually causing people to alter their lifestyles. About a third of adults have avoided large crowds to protect themselves or their families. More than eight in ten adults have taken at least one precaution to protect themselves or their families from the possibility of gun violence.
As a response to the increase of mass shootings, President Biden is calling on Republicans in Congress to enact stricter gun control as he is “powerless to do anything more” on his own. Neither members of the Kentucky congressional delegation have made pronouncements on gun reforms.
For Annenberg Media, I’m Irene Kim.