The recent New York Times article accurately highlights a sad reality, which is not at all surprising.
The years following the pandemic have seen an increase in gun violence and a rise in the number of deaths in Columbus, as well as other cities in Ohio and across the country. This can be attributed to the prevalence of guns and the loosening of gun laws.
Related posts
This Article Includes
Even prior to a response from a spokesperson for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, it was evident that House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan expressed his concerns about violence in New York during hearings focused on Bragg’s policies, which he labeled as “pro-crime, anti-victim.”
“In his first year as the officeholder, D.A. Bragg proudly achieved one of the lowest murder rates among major cities in the United States, with a rate of 5.2. This remarkable statistic is nearly three times lower than that of Columbus, Ohio, which recorded a rate of 15.4,” the aide expressed in a message shared on X, formerly known as Twitter. “If Chairman Jordan genuinely prioritizes public safety, he has the option to simply travel a short distance to various cities within his home state, including Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Akron, or Toledo, rather than utilizing taxpayer funds to embark on lengthy journeys.”
Diligently working for more gun violence
Jordan, an Urbana Republican who represents Ohio’s 4th District, which includes parts of Columbus, Dublin, and Westerville, has ignored the advice to focus on violence in Ohio.
In fact, he and his colleagues in the Ohio Legislature have worked tirelessly to exacerbate gun violence.
Statehouse Republicans, to the delight of the gun lobby and the chagrin of a long list of Ohioans (including city leaders, the Fraternal Order of Police, county prosecutors, and mothers who lost children to gun violence), have systematically dismantled sensible gun control measures, including the concealed carry permit requirement.
In 2021, Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state’s “stand your ground” statute. In 2022, Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law, reducing the number of training hours required for teachers to be armed in school from 728 to approximately 24.
All the while, gun violence and the possibility of it hang over Columbus and other communities throughout the state.
Three fatal shootings occurred this weekend, killing five individuals. Three people have died after shooting at Columbus police officers this month.
Gun violence spreading
With relaxed gun rules and more guns, it’s no surprise that the Times’ investigation revealed that gun violence is becoming more common among Americans.
From 2020 to 2023, more than 47 million Americans lived within a five-minute walk of a fatal gunshot, up from 39 million the previous four years, according to the Times.
Forty-one percent of Columbus people lived within a quarter-mile of a fatal shooting, up from 28 percent before the pandemic.
It would be surprising if Ohio lawmakers took action to combat gun violence.
Legislators have even rejected the idea of requiring the lock and key storage of guns to keep them out of the hands of children.
According to a 2023 USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University survey, almost 75% of Ohioans approve of a law regulating safe gun storage.
Everytown for Gun Safety reports 205 unintentional shootings by children since 2015.
There is no shortage of ways to reduce gun violence. There is a lack of willingness to take action.
