Plain English with Derek Thompson America’s Gun Problem Is Impossible
May 26, 2022
German Lopez, a New York Times writer specializing in gun policy, joins to discuss America’s escalating gun violence. He highlights the alarming trend of school shootings and the stark differences in injuries caused by high-velocity firearms. The conversation delves into successful gun control measures, the complexities of red flag laws, and the political inertia in Washington. Lopez emphasizes the need for a nuanced approach to gun legislation, reflecting on both cultural attitudes and potential legislative solutions to mitigate this ongoing crisis.
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America's Unique Gun Violence
- America's gun violence problem is exceptional, surpassing other developed nations.
- The U.S. has nearly three times more school mass shootings than all other developed countries combined.
Rising School Shootings
- School shootings have increased in frequency and severity since 2018, potentially due to a copycat effect.
- Easy access to guns in the U.S. exacerbates the issue.
Gun Ownership and Gun Deaths
- A strong correlation exists between gun ownership and gun deaths in the U.S.
- Some dispute this, citing freedom or flawed research, while others accept it as the cost of gun ownership.