"How Do We Stop The Parade Of Gun Deaths?" Nicholas Kristof

 

A vigil in Boulder, Colo., for the victims of the May 22 King Soopers supermarket mass killing.Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images

How Do We Stop The Parade Of Gun Deaths?

By Nicholas Kristof Opinion Columnist

Here’s a wrenching fact: More Americans have died from guns just since 1975, including suicides, murders and accidents (more than 1.5 million), than in all the wars in United States history, dating back to the Revolutionary War (about 1.4 million).

And a second fact, also from my new column: In a typical year, more preschoolers, ages zero to four, are shot dead in the United States (about 80) than police officers (about 50 or fewer).

And a third: The United States may now have more guns (around 400 million) than people (330 million). The United States has 4 percent of the world’s population but about 40 percent of firearms in civilian hands.

This is an issue that I’ve been following for years, and unfortunately I don’t believe it’s possible to get meaningful legislation through Congress right now. But there are still steps we can take. Read the column!