Gun Violence in America: What Can We Do to Stop the Madness,This memorial day lets us all remember not just our military but also the victims of the senseless shooting.‍

Gun Violence in America: What Can We Do to Stop the Madness <p>This memorial day lets us all remember not just our military but also the victims of the senseless shooting.‍</p> <p>In the wake of another school shooting, America Robb Elementary School shooting is once again grappling with gun violence and how to prevent these tragedies from continuing to happen. In response to the Parkland shooting in February 2018, many students have taken a stand and spoken out about the need for stricter gun laws and other measures to reduce gun violence. The NRA has come under fire, with many questioning why they continue to have so much influence over politicians and whether their money has anything to do with it. There are no easy answers to this question. This podcast examines gun violence in America today, what may be fueling it, what we know about its effects on society, and possible solutions that may help reduce it in the future.</p> What is the current state of gun violence in America? <p>According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR), there were about 15,000 homicides committed with a firearm in the U.S. in 2017, the last full year for which data are available. This is a rate of 6.3 homicides per 100,000 people, or about 3% of all homicides in the U.S. The UCR data also show that firearm homicide rates have generally declined since the 1990s. While rates have decreased, they've also shown a dramatic increase in the past two years. In 2016, when the UCR data were compiled, there were 14,415 firearm homicides in the U.S. The following year, the number increased by nearly 10% to 15,386. This represents the highest number of firearm homicides in the U.S. since 2014.</p> Why has there been an increase in gun violence? <p>Most academics who study gun violence agree that there has been a general downward trend in homicide rates since the 1990s. But there have been significant increases in firearm-related homicides in recent years. So, why have rates of gun violence increased? A couple of essential factors may be driving t