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The lack of morals in society are seen as a factor in gun violence. The article "Disrespect for life, lack of moral center seen as factors in gun violence" by Elizabeth Bachmann talks about the issue of lack of morals in the U.S when compared to gun violence. It explained that violence is engraved in our culture and we continue to glorify and multiply guns. The disrespect for life is stuck in our culture through the death penalty, assisted suicide, violent video games, disrespect for elderly, the fascination with details of each shooting...etc. The culture of hate has also been developing over the past few years which leads to more violence. The article explains that we need to look deeper into the culture of violence or else nothing will be changed.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - In this American age of violence, where 165 shootings happened this year alone, where politicians scream at each other across the aisle about gun laws and Second Amendment rights without even the common ground of mutual respect, religious leaders, scholars and TV personalities alike notice a more insidious problem with American culture.

The problem behind the problem, they suggest, is a pervasive disregard for the sanctity of life.

On Aug. 5 in CatholicPhilly.com, the archdiocesan news outlet, Philadelphia Archbishop Charles J. Chaput republished a statement he had given before the U.S. Senate as testimony in response to the Columbine High School shooting 20 years ago in Colorado, when he was archbishop of Denver.

He paired it with a current response to the shootings in Gilroy, California, in late July and in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, in early August, which left a total of 34 people dead and dozens more injured.

"The real problem (of Columbine-like violence in our culture) is in here, in us," Chaput said before the Senate in 1999. "In the last four decades, we've created a culture that markets violence in dozens of different ways, seven days a week. It's part of our social fabric. ... When we glorify and multiply guns, why are we shocked when kids use them?"

Robert George, director of the James Madison program in American ideals and institutions at Princeton University, tweeted along similar lines:

"People have lots of motives for killing other people - greed, envy, ideology, hatred, racism, nihilism, and on and on. Sometimes people kill others simply because they are in the way. Only one thing can overcome all motives to kill: the conviction that every human life is sacred."

Chaput went on to explain that disrespect for life is stained into the fabric of American culture, through abortion, the death penalty, assisted suicide - currently legal in eight states and the District of Columbis - violent video games, disrespect for the elderly and morbid fascination with the bloody details of each new shooting. The list goes on.

Even Oprah Winfrey chimed into the discussion. She attributed the atmosphere of hatred and violence to a lack of individual morality.

"Churches used to do that. ... It was a central place you could come to and there was a core center of values about a way of living and being in the world," she said in an interview with "Extra". "Until we can return to that, however that is, in whatever form, we will continue to be lost."

Chaput said that gun control is not going to solve this cultural problem. Rather, he suggested that America needs to radically shift its perception of life, to rid its culture of the hatred, dishonesty, excess, moral anarchy, and perversion that have characterized this uniquely bloody period in U.S. history.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin of Newark, New Jersey, also addressed the "culture of hate" in an Aug. 5 statement.

"What is different now is the culture of hate that has been developing over the last few years," he said. "Whether it is expressed in the violence of white nationalism or violence against the defenseless unborn, hate seems to be an accepted way of life."

However, he added the strong caveat that, in addition to addressing this cultural immorality, government leaders should institute a ban on assault weapons, implement universal background checks and criminalize gun trafficking immediately.

Chaput said exterior measures would have minimal effect controlling the situation and that any real solutions must confront the core of a rotting culture.

"Treating the symptoms in a culture of violence doesn't work," he said, "We need to look deeper. Until we're willing to do that, nothing fundamental will change."
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Disrespect for life, lack of moral center seen as factors in gun violence

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WASHINGTON, D.C. - In this American age of violence, where 165 shootings happened this year alone, where politicians scream at each other across the aisle about gun laws and Second Amendment rights without even the common ground of mutual respect, religious leaders, scholars and TV personalities alike notice a more insidious problem with American culture.

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Violent video games are also seen as a factor in gun violence, but it isn't as true as some people think. The article "No evidence that violent video games are causing mass shootings, despite politicians' claims" by Sarah Whitten explains how violent video games aren't affecting gun violence. There is no research that there is a link between mass shootings and video games; actually there is a dip in violent crimes. Research shows that over 70% of high school students play violent video games, and only 20% of school shooters have played these games. The U.S has the second highest revenue for violent video games, behind China. In contrast the U.S has 4.43 violent gun deaths per 100,000 people, and China only has 0.04. This article explained how there are many other factors that affect gun violence.

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The amount of guns in the U.S  is another factor in gun violence. In an article made by the Harvard Injury Control Research Center called "Homicide", there is research showing higher number of guns= higher number of gun violence. A study shows that where there are more guns, both men and women are at a higher risk for homicide. Even in high income countries, the more guns there are the more homicides. People in the U.S with higher levels of household guns have elevated risks of homicide and firearm homicide. This article shows research that a higher number of guns means a higher number of overall homicides including firearm homicides.

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1. Where there are more guns there is more homicide (literature review)

Our review of the academic literature found that a broad array of evidence indicates that gun availability is a risk factor for homicide, both in the United States and across high-income countries. Case-control studies, ecological time-series and cross-sectional studies indicate that in homes, cities, states and regions in the U.S., where there are more guns, both men and women are at a higher risk for homicide, particularly firearm homicide.

Hepburn, Lisa; Hemenway, David. Firearm availability and homicide: A review of the literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal. 2004; 9:417-40.
2. Across high-income nations, more guns = more homicide
We analyzed the relationship between homicide and gun availability using data from 26 developed countries from the early 1990s. We found that across developed countries, where guns are more available, there are more homicides. These results often hold even when the United States is excluded.

Hemenway, David; Miller, Matthew. Firearm availability and homicide rates across 26 high income countries. Journal of Trauma. 2000; 49:985-88.
3. Across states, more guns = more homicide
Using a validated proxy for firearm ownership, we analyzed the relationship between firearm availability and homicide across 50 states over a ten-year period (1988-1997).

After controlling for poverty and urbanization, for every age group, people in states with many guns have elevated rates of homicide, particularly firearm homicide.

Miller, Matthew; Azrael, Deborah; Hemenway, David. Household firearm ownership levels and homicide rates across U.S. regions and states, 1988-1997. American Journal of Public Health. 2002; 92:1988-1993.
4. Across states, more guns = more homicide (2)
Using survey data on rates of household gun ownership, we examined the association between gun availability and homicide across states, 2001-2003. We found that states with higher levels of household gun ownership had higher rates of firearm homicide and overall homicide. This relationship held for both genders and all age groups, after accounting for rates of aggravated assault, robbery, unemployment, urbanization, alcohol consumption, and resource deprivation (e.g., poverty). There was no association between gun prevalence and non-firearm homicide.

Miller, Matthew; Azrael, Deborah; Hemenway, David. State-level homicide victimization rates in the U.S. in relation to survey measures of household firearm ownership, 2001-2003. Social Science and Medicine. 2007; 64:656-64.
5. A summary of the evidence on guns and violent death
This book chapter summarizes the scientific literature on the relationship between gun prevalence (levels of household gun ownership) and suicide, homicide and unintentional firearm death and concludes that where there are higher levels of gun ownership, there are more gun suicides and more total suicides, more gun homicides and more total homicides, and more accidental gun deaths.

This is the first chapter in the book and provides and up-to-date and readable summary of the literature on the relationship between guns and death. It also adds to the literature by using the National Violent Death Reporting System data to show where (home or away) the shootings occurred. Suicides for all age groups and homicides for children and aging adults most often occurred in their own home.

Miller M, Azrael D, Hemenway D. Firearms and violence death in the United States. In: Webster DW, Vernick JS, eds. Reducing Gun Violence in America. Baltimore MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013.
6. More guns = more homicides of police
This article examines homicide rates of Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) from 1996 to 2010. Differences in rates of homicides of LEOs across states are best explained not by differences in crime, but by differences in household gun ownership. In high gun states, LEOs are 3 times more likely to be murdered than LEOs working in low-gun states.

This article was cited by President Obama in a speech to a police association. This article will hopefully bring police further into the camp of those pushing for sensible gun laws.

Swedler DI, Simmons MM, Dominici F, Hemenway D. Firearm prevalence and homicides of law enforcement officers in the United States. American Journal of Public Health. 2015; 105:2042-48.

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1. Where there are more guns there is more homicide (literature review) Our review of the academic literature found that a broad array of evidence indicates that gun availability is a risk factor for homicide, both in the United States and across high-income countries.

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Gun free zones were made to stop people from bringing guns to certain places, but they don't seem to work as well as people think they would. The article "Why 'gun-free' zones don't work and how to survive them" by Tim Schmidt talks about how gun free zones don't actually work. It gave the example of a person why killed 3 people in a hospital in Illinois. Concealed handguns were already banned in places like hospitals, but it didn't stop the gunman. In a gun free zone, people are easier targets since they don't have anything for protection. This makes places like mall and schools an easy target for gunmen. This article explains why gun free zones don't work and actually make places more vulnerable to an attack.

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The nation's attention was on Chicago recently where a police officer and two others were murdered by a deranged gunman at Chicago's Mercy Hospital. The loss of life may have even been greater were it not for the bravery and heroism of Chicago police officer Samuel Jimenez, who gave his life to protect others.

While we mourn the lives lost in tragedies like these, it's important to learn from them and have a real conversation in our society about whether we are truly doing everything possible to protect ourselves and those around us.

In the Mercy Hospital tragedy, two important issues did not receive the attention that they deserve from the media. First, it was another reminder that seconds matter in active shooter situations. As horrible as this tragedy was, it would have been far worse if good guys with guns weren't immediately on the scene.

Too often, the media narratives focus solely on the murderer and not necessarily the heroic actions of armed Americans, whether they be police officers or law-abiding concealed carry holders.

Second, this was another reminder that so-called "gun-free" zones simply do not work. Under Illinois law, concealed handguns were already banned in hospitals like Mercy. We've seen this play out in countless other tragedies, including this past August in Jacksonville, Fla., where two people were killed at a mall that similarly lauded itself as a "gun-free" zone.

Ultimately, the mall's policy did nothing to stop an evildoer bent on violence, but it did prevent law-abiding citizens who might have otherwise been on hand and armed, prepared to protect themselves and others. We don't know if an ordinary citizen with a concealed carry permit could have stopped that attack, but we do know that once again this feel-good policy did absolutely nothing to protect innocent lives.

Too many lives have been lost because murderous maniacs know that malls and schools are soft targets. Those inside don't have the ability to protect themselves. In an emergency situation, seconds matter and a well-trained, responsible gun owner can save lives in an active-shooter situation.

We saw this at another gun-free zone mall in a St. Cloud, Minn., mall in 2016 where a deranged madman with a knife started attacking innocent bystanders. Fortunately, the attack was stopped by an off-duty police officer and USCCA certified firearms instructor, Jason Falcone. Luckily, he had ignored the mall's gun-free policy and was carrying his firearm.

While we debate the failure of gun-free zones, however, there are steps that all Americans can take to train and educate themselves on how to react during a deadly encounter while unarmed in a gun-free zone. For starters:

Use Situational Awareness. It is important to remain constantly vigilant; a heightened sense of awareness will help you identify a threat immediately. Be aware of what's happening and who's around you - at all times. Identify entrances and exits, as well as things that could provide cover if needed.

Minimize Your Exposure. Once an attack has begun, immediately minimize your exposure. Get down and find cover. Cover can be described as any object between you and the shooter that could potentially stop a bullet. DO NOT stand up and look in the direction of the threat. If you're not prepared, this will be your natural instinct, making you an easy target.

Find An Escape Route. Immediately after you've found cover, you must make a plan to move. If you're discovered crouching and hiding in one spot for too long you will become the next target. Identify an escape route that moves you away from the shooter - from one place of cover to another. If possible, avoid large crowds because the shooter will likely focus on the area where they are.

Find Help. Finally, once you have made it to a place of safety, immediately contact the authorities. Everyone around you will be in a state of panic, so it is important to remain calm and help others who may have been injured. Once the police arrive, do exactly what they say and do your best to provide an accurate account of what happened.

Every time you go out or are forced to enter a gun-free zone, take a second to review and remember these simple strategies. Consistent practice will eventually turn into habit and will ultimately help prepare you for any situation.

In the meantime, our society needs to have an honest conversation about the difference between feel-good policies that do nothing to protect innocent lives and sensible self-defense measures like concealed carry. On countless occasions, armed citizens have stopped the bad guys and prevented the loss of life.

Whether it's a teacher or school administrator, watching our kids every day, or a parent shopping at a local mall, every law-abiding American should have the right to self-protection, and to protect others, at all times.
Tim Schmidt is the president and founder of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, and may be contacted at Press@USCCA.com.

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Why 'gun-free' zones don't work and how to survive them

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The nation's attention was on Chicago recently where a police officer and two others were murdered by a deranged gunman at Chicago's Mercy Hospital. The loss of life may have even been greater were it not for the bravery and heroism of Chicago police officer Samuel Jimenez, who gave his life to...

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Many people think that people with mental health issues are more likely to commit gun violence, but that is far from the truth. The article "Gun violence and mental health" by A Union of Professionals explains that mental health issues isn't the cause for gun violence most of the time. There are four assumptions that people have after a mass shooting, mental illness causes gun violence, a psychiatric diagnosis can predict gun crimes, mass shootings are committed by mentally ill loners, and gun control won't prevent another tragedy. These are all false. Less than 5%  of violence can be attributed to mental illness, and in fact, people with varying mental illnesses are more likely to be victimized. People who commit crimes aren't well, but this doesn't mean they have a mental illness; shooters are rarely diagnosed or diagnosible with mental illness. This article explains how people with mental illness aren't very likely to commit gun violence, it's usually people who aren't well, but don't have any mental illness.

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After instances of mass violence, especially widely covered school shootings, mental illness is often identified as-or assumed to be-a root cause. Social science research can help educators understand some simple truths and can challenge some common misconceptions.

Four assumptions regularly shape news media coverage in the aftermath of mass shootings:

1. Mental illness causes gun violence.

2. A psychiatric diagnosis can predict gun crime before it happens.

3. Mass shootings are committed by mentally ill loners.

4. Gun control won't prevent another tragedy, because mass shooters' psychiatric histories are too complex

In fact, research shows that:

Mental illness does not cause gun violence: "Surprisingly little population-level evidence supports the notion that individuals diagnosed with mental illness are more likely than anyone else to commit gun crimes" (Metzl and MacLeish 2015).

People with diagnosed with mental illnesses are not more likely to commit mass shootings; less than 5 percent of violence can be attributed to mental illness.

In fact, people with mental illness of varying severity-including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia-are more likely to be victimized than people without mental illness. They are also more likely to self-harm than to commit violence against others.

A diagnosis of mental illness does not predict gun violence: "Psychiatric diagnosis is in and of itself not predictive of violence, and even the overwhelming majority of psychiatric patients who fit the profile of recent US mass shooters-gun-owning, angry, paranoid White men-do not commit crimes" (Metzl and MacLeish 2015). People who commit mass shootings are not well; as one professor in psychiatry and behavioral health explains: "A mass shooting is the product of a disordered mental process" (Beckett 2014). Those who also feel hopeless, desperate and suicidal are more likely to violate others. Still, shooters rarely have a diagnosed (or diagnosable) mental illness.

Blaming mentally ill loners will not reduce gun violence: Suggesting mental illness is (always or often) the root cause of terrible acts is stigmatizing. Stigma prevents people with mental illness from seeking and accessing appropriate care.

"The minute something happens, they all know all who I am. The people in the schools need to learn that singling someone out just because they're a little bit different, because they don't want to talk to people, because they don't know how to communicate properly doesn't mean that I'm any different from you. Just because I'm a little different doesn't mean I'm going to come into school one day with a gun."

-Owen (Connecticut), student with autism accused of being a threat to his peers

We know the risk factors for perpetrating violence. Several studies have identified a history of childhood abuse, substance abuse and male gender as predictive risk factors for serious violence. More specifically, school shooters are often white adolescent boys from small communities where "everyone knows everyone"; these are often boys who faced gender-based bullying, such as being deemed "unmanly" because of their weight or athleticism, and who have access to guns.

Gun control can help prevent gun violence: Furthermore, schools can reduce everyday violence. Enriching all aspects of a child's life-learning, development and play-is a long-term prevention strategy that addresses multiple forms of violence. According to one author, that strategy includes "better education, youth services, jobs that pay a living wage, mental health services, trauma counseling, a fair criminal justice system-in short, more opportunity, less despair" (Younge 2018). A whole-child approach by schools does not focus on averting a school shootings, per se, but seeks to ensure every student gets the start he or she deserves.

Kim, S. " Autistic Teen Says Peers at Norwalk High Unfairly Label Him a Threat." The Hour, February 24, 2018.

Letzter, R. " The News Is Telling You a Distorted Story about Mental Illness." Business Insider, June 11, 2016.

Metzl, J.M., and K.T. MacLeish. " Mental Illness, Mass Shootings, and the Politics of American Firearms." American Journal of Public Health 105, no. 2 (February 1, 2015): pp. 240-249.

National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance. " Child Advocacy Toolkit," 2010.

National Association of School Psychologists. " Preventing Mass Violence Requires Access to Mental Health Services and Reduced Inappropriate Access to Firearms." Statement, February 15, 2018.

Younge, G. " High School Massacres Are Just the Tip of the Iceberg Among Youth Gun Deaths." Truthout, July 12, 2018.

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After instances of mass violence, especially widely covered school shootings, mental illness is often identified as-or assumed to be-a root cause. Social science research can help educators understand some simple truths and can challenge some common misconceptions.Four assumptions regularly shape news media coverage in the aftermath of mass shootings:

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Extremists are seen as a big factor in gun violence. The article "Shootings Spur Debate on Extremism and Guns, With Trump on Defense" by Alexander Burns talks about how extremists are a big part in gun violence and how Trump isn't helping the issue. This article used the shooting in El Paso, Texas as an example. A white supremacist killed 22 people, and Trump responded by attacking the media and condemning white supremacy. On the other hand, in the past Trump didn't address how his own language has lead to more white supremacists that agree with his ideology's. In the article "Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2018" by ADL gives statistics about extremists in 2018. It states that domestic extremists killed at least 50 people, which made 2018 the fourth-deadliest year for domestic extremists-related killings. White supremacists were responsible for the majority of the killings. Also firearms remain the weapon of choice of extremists who kill. This shows that extremists are a big part of gun violence, and people in power aren't seeming to try and stop it.

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Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2018

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Each year, ADL's Center on Extremism tracks murders perpetrated by all types of extremists. In 2018, every single extremist killing - from Pittsburgh to Parkland - had a link to right-wing extremism. This report provides key insights into the crimes, including motivations behind these violent attacks.

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I think extremists are the biggest cause for gun violence. Most mass shootings are caused by extremists. A lot of these people are racists, homophobic, sexist...etc which causes them to target people they dislike. This is a big problem in the U.S because our president isn't serious enough about fighting extremists. Some people listen to his beliefs and ideas, which makes them become or be an even more serious extremist. All of the other reasons for gun violence don't hold up as much as extremists do. Even though lack of morals in our society is a reason for gun violence, it's not the main reason for it. Violent video games don't have a big effect on gun violence and are barely even a reason for why someone will use gun violence. The number of guns is a prominent reason, but isn't the biggest reason in my opinion. Gun free zones don't even really help combat gun violence since some shooters will target them more heavily since the people there don't have any protection. Mental health issues isn't a reason for gun violence at all almost. Most acts of gun violence are made by people who aren't well, but they don't have mental health issues. I think in order to fight gun violence we need to start at the hate people have for one another. If we all come together and accept each other, there will be no need for anyone to want to harm others.