You can say what you want about the efficacy of gun restrictions in the U.S., but there is one deadly reality that cannot be ignored: all of these mass shootings are devastating. The most disheartening thing of all is that little has been done to address this issue in America aside from politicians offering empty platitudes.
And every single month, there’s more bad news. It feels inescapable. Unfortunately, the media has been taking it easy on us. The fact of the matter is that 355 mass shootings have taken place on U.S. soil since January of 2015, and we’ve only heard about a small fraction of them.
Here’s a map of the cases that were heavily covered by the media in 2015.
These include the events in San Bernardino, Colorado Springs, Chattanooga, Charleston, and Roseburg.
An accurate representation of mass shootings in the United States since January, however, looks more like this. There have been upwards of 355 in total.
This map shows a clear disparity between what we’re being told by the mainstream media and what’s really going on. Let’s take a look at a few specific shootings that never made national or international headlines.
1. Savannah, Georgia
On December 2, 2015 — the same exact day as the San Bernardino shooting — one person was killed and several were injured in an overnight shooting in Savannah, Georgia. It was only reported on one local news network.
2. Amarillo, Texas
This shooting, which left several gravely wounded, happened near Hamlet Elementary School in Amarillo, Texas, back in April of this year.
3. Menasha, Wisconsin
Five were shot and four were killed during this random mass shooting on a footbridge in Menasha, Wisconsin, earlier this year. This particular case did receive some national news coverage, but not enough, given the shocking nature of the crime.
4. Brooklyn, New York
Disturbingly enough, six were shot and four were killed during a funeral in Brooklyn back in April. Major New York City-based publications ran the story, but few others published any information.
5. Gates, New York
Seven were shot, six were wounded, and one was killed in this shooting outside of a pub in Gates, New York. This also took place in April of 2015.
6. Shreveport, Louisiana
Eight were injured after a shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, in July of this year. No one was killed, but civilians and officers were hurt in the process. One of those injured was a suspected shooter.
7. Tucson, Arizona
An entire family of five was killed in this murder-suicide back in May. Police are still unsure of what motivated the crime.
8. Deer Lodge, Montana
This shooting, which killed five people, occurred after a man’s wife started “mocking him.” He became enraged and killed his wife, their children, and himself.
9. Seattle, Washington
This actually took place just last month. Five were injured after a senseless drive-by shooting in Seattle. Four were shot, and one was hurt by shrapnel.
10. Santa Ana, California
One was killed and four were injured in the crossfire of a deadly altercation in March of 2015.
11. Albuquerque, New Mexico
One person was killed and six were gravely injured after a skate park in Albuquerque erupted in gunfire. The person killed was a high school student.
12. Ocala, Florida
A 19-year-old girl was killed and five more young people were injured during this shooting, which took place at a night club near Palm Beach State College.
13. Douglasville, Georgia
Small children were among those killed when one man shot his ex-wife. Neighborhood kids reportedly liked the woman’s dog, and could often be found playing outside of her house. When they heard gunshots inside the home, they fled. The shooter reloaded after killing his ex so that he could kill the children as they ran away.
(via PBS)
No matter what your stance on gun control may be, it’s clear that the people of this country deserve justice for what’s happened. That was just a small sampling of an insane amount of mass murders, and it makes you wonder why there was so little news coverage. If they don’t consider these cases important, then what is?