100 Too Many: The rise in mass shootings in the U.S. — which 100 in 2023 in record time — heightens fear and concern among students

The United States passed 100 mass shootings in 2023 on March 6 — a new record, surpassing the previous date by 13 days.

Last year, the U.S. hit 100 mass shootings on March 19. The number was reached in the last week of March in 2021, and it wasn’t hit until late May in 2018-2020, according to CNN. Reaching this milestone only 65 days in the year, the U.S. currently has more mass shootings than days in 2023.

For sophomore Hartley Graham, this rise in mass shootings created new fear in her day-to-day life. Checking for exit signs, carefully eyeing people around her in public places, constantly turning her head to check her surroundings and avoiding large events are all “normal” precautions Graham now implements in her daily life.

“[The number of mass shootings] makes me nervous to go to things like concerts or even malls because you never know who will be there and when,” Graham said.

Sophomore Mae Audus also feels the effects of this fear, constantly wondering if she’ll one day experience a mass shooting. Audus never worried about mass shootings until the recent rise and publicity of them.

“It’s just been brought more to my attention,” Audus said. “Previously, it wasn’t talked about as much and since it’s been more talked about it’s just led me to feel more on edge about it. I mean sometimes I’m like ‘Oh, what if it’s today when [a shooter is] at school or the mall.’”

In 2016, there were a total of 383 mass shootings and in 2022 the U.S. reached 647 total mass shootings — an increase of 264 more mass shootings in six years — creating an average of 1.7 mass shootings per day, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

As of March 22, the U.S. has had 118 shootings, according to the Gun Violence Archive, equalling an average of 1.45 shootings a day.

Grandparents for Gun Safety, a local organization working with youths to help ensure guns are safely stored and used, by educating others on how to safely store guns and providing gunlocks to the community. The founder Judy Sherry attributes this rise of shootings to the increase in gun accessibility with guns being sold on the street or not stored properly in houses as well as more people resorting to guns to solve personal issues.

“We’re a very angry population right now,” Sherry said. “We talk about our country being polarized. People used to think that you could solve a problem with an argument or even a fist fight, but now, so many people carry guns with them. It’s how people solve problems. A drug deal goes wrong, and instead of punching somebody, you shoot them.”

Grandparents for Gun Safety is partnering with SHARE’s Freshman Connection to help package gun locks which will be distributed to local doctors’ offices. They will be meeting in the cafeteria during Seminar on Tuesday, March 28.

Sherry believes we need more legislation to help counteract this rise in shootings, such as Ethan’s Law which would require gun owners to safely and securely store their firearms — even when unloaded. 

“We are hoping and wishing that our legislators would pass legislation that would keep us safe, so that people like domestic abusers don’t have access to guns,” Sherry said.

She also believes people need to better ensure all guns are legally and safely owned by getting guns off the streets and making sure every gun is legally bought and licensed.

“Make sure that people who own a gun have every right to own a gun, make them have a permit, make them register their guns,” Sherry said. “Just whatever we do with cars, and do the same thing with firearms. You can’t drive a car without a license, why should you be able to own a gun without a license?”