With Saturday’s deadly attack at a Pittsburgh synagogue, there have now been nearly 300 mass shootings in the United States in 2018.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, 294 mass shooting incidents have taken place this year – and today is the 300th day of the year.
The number killed in the shooting has risen to eight at this hour, but could be as many as 10. Twelve others were injured, including three police officers. The suspected shooter is reportedly a man in his 40s who yelled anti-Semitic comments during the attack.
According to NBC News, “It is believed the suspect was armed with an AR-15-style rifle and multiple handguns.”
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Voters must demand sensible gun laws this year
With the November elections just around the corner, gun violence should be at the top of voters’ minds as they cast their ballots. We can no longer tolerate lawmakers who refuse to act on this issue.
Even more importantly, we can no longer tolerate language from right-wing leaders, Trump especially, that encourages this type of violent extremist behavior.
As Dan Rather tweeted on Saturday after the shooting, “The focus should not be only on Trump, but all who excuse, abet, or stand in silence while hate is stoked for political gain.”
Mass murder at a Pittsburgh synagogue. A killer targeting African Americans in Kentucky. The bomb maker. The focus should not be only on Trump, but all who excuse, abet, or stand in silence while hate is stoked for political gain.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) October 27, 2018
In less than two weeks, voters have a chance to do what Republican politicians will not: Act.
Almost every day of 2018, mass gun violence has wreaked havoc in small towns and big cities across the country, all while NRA-owned Republican politicians do nothing about it.
This is the 300th day of the year.
There have been 294 mass shootings in 2018.
There are 10 days until Election Day.
Vote like your life depends on it.
Because it does.
— Andrew Weinstein (@Weinsteinlaw) October 27, 2018
While we can expect the same do-nothing GOP response after this religiously-motivated shooting in Pittsburgh, voters can actually do something in 10 days when they go to the polls.
Enough is enough.
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Sean Colarossi currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and was an organizing fellow for both of President Obama’s presidential campaigns. He also worked with Planned Parenthood as an Affordable Care Act Outreach Organizer in 2014, helping northeast Ohio residents obtain health insurance coverage.
