Ten people were killed and 38 others were wounded in mass shootings across Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Fort Worth. The incidents occurred before the Fourth of July holiday, prompting President Joe Biden to once again urge the passage of gun control legislation.
In Fort Worth, a mass shooting took place after a local festival celebrating Independence Day, resulting in three fatalities and eight injuries, according to the police.
Philadelphia experienced a separate mass shooting, where five individuals were killed and two, including a 2-year-old and a 13-year-old boy, were wounded. The suspect, wearing body armor and armed with an AR-15, opened fire on strangers.
The day before these incidents, Baltimore witnessed a neighborhood block party turning into a scene of tragedy. Two people were shot dead, and 28 others, including children, were injured.
The motives behind these shootings remain unclear, contributing to the ongoing struggle the United States faces regarding mass shootings and gun violence.
Data from the Gun Violence Archive indicates that the country has already witnessed over 340 mass shootings in 2023. A mass shooting is defined as an incident where at least four people, excluding the shooter, are shot.
President Biden condemned the recent violence and called for stricter gun laws. He urged Republican lawmakers to join in enacting meaningful reforms. Republicans in Congress consistently opposed significant changes to gun safety laws. They cited constitutional protections for gun ownership and resisted Biden’s efforts to reinstate an assault weapons ban.
Philadelphia officials made a plea to state and federal lawmakers. They emphasized the urgency of addressing America’s gun problem. Mayor Jim Kenney stressed the need for legislation similar to neighboring states. District Attorney Larry Krasner echoed the need for such legislation. The officials mentioned New Jersey and Delaware as examples.
