Mass shootings: this shocking graph reveals the problem in the US

FedEx employee describes shooting in Indianapolis 0:48

(CNN) ––

Eight people died on Thursday night, when a gunman opened fire at a FedEx facility, near the Indianapolis airport, before taking his own life.

This is at least the 45th mass shooting in America since March 16.

• Indianapolis Shooting Witness Says He Saw Man Firing "Automatic Rifle"

Yes, you read that right.

The 45th mass shooting in the United States since March 16.

That is, in just one month.

(CNN calls a shooting mass when four or more people –– not counting the attacker–– are injured or killed).

This is what this figure looks like on a map of the USA.

In the month of March 16 to April 16, 2021, at least 45 mass shootings occurred in the United States, according to CNN reports, and an analysis of data from the Gun Violence Archive, local media reports and police reports.

Awesome, right?

Sad truth?

Scandalous, right?

There is no room for debate regarding the fact that we have an epidemic of massive violence committed with weapons in this country.

And there is a wealth of data to prove it.

For example, of all homicides that were committed in the United States during 2019, 73% were related to weapons, according to FBI data.

That compares with an estimated 39% in Canada, 22% in Australia, and just 4% in England and Wales.

Here's another piece of information: The United States has an average of 120.5 firearms for every 100 residents.

That is more than double that of the next country, which is Yemen, with 52.8 firearms for every 100 people.

In addition, nearly 23 million firearms were purchased in the US in 2020, a new record.

advertising

"Gun violence in this country is an epidemic," President Joe Biden said a week ago, announcing a series of gun bills.

"And it is an international shame," he added.

Shooting in Indianapolis: What about the suspect?

2:08

Nor is there much disagreement, in terms of the general public, that there are things we should (and could) do to address this problem.

A national Quinnipiac University poll, released this week, showed that 89% of Americans support the requirement for background checks for all gun buyers.

Three-quarters support so-called "red flag" laws.

The majority (51%) even support a ban on assault weapons!

• The United States has recorded at least 45 mass shootings in the last month alone

Yet despite all that, Congress is still struggling to pass any kind of gun control measure.

"Members of Congress have offered a lot of condolences and prayers, but they haven't passed a single new federal law to reduce gun violence," Biden said a week ago.

"Enough prayers, it's time to take some action," he insisted.

In the wake of the Indianapolis shooting, Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy spoke out.

Murphy has taken the lead in pursuing common sense gun legislation.

Here's what we know about the shooting in Indianapolis 2:37

“When Congress does absolutely nothing, shooting after shooting, we become accomplices in this massacre.

Our silence has been interpreted as endorsement.

Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to come together and pass a bill that will save lives, ”he tweeted.

It's not entirely clear if Murphy's call to action will be heard.

Republicans in the Senate continue to oppose subjecting private gun sales to background checks… Among other problems they have with the camera's firearms measures.

What is very clear, regardless of which side you are on or whether you have a gun or not, is that 45 mass shootings in just one month means that we have a problem in this country.

A problem our government needs to find ways to address.

Indianapolis Shootouts