Gun violence has grown to be a significant issue within various countries, leading to increasing concerns about safety. In 2019 alone, over 250,000 deaths occurred due to gun violence, according to the World Population Review. The number seems to increase yearly, affecting individuals, families, and communities. It is high time countries need to enforce stricter rules to control gun violence and crime, or it will get out of hand.
United States
In 2022, America reported over 48,117 death cases from gun violence, equivalent to one death in every 11 minutes. Out of the total, over 26,993 were suicides, 19,592 were homicides, nearly 472 were unintentional gun injuries, and 649 were shot by law enforcement. The figure is catastrophic and portrays the urgency of stringent laws to curb the growing trend of gun violence for the safety and security of civilians.
South Africa
The increased crime rate leaves South Africa as one of the most unsafe countries with a continually growing rate of gun violence. A recent report highlighted that in 2022, over 3000 people were killed in South Africa in three months due to gun violence. Additionally, mass shootings have become so common in the country, killing several people in different incidents. According to the survey of Gun Free South Africa, GFSA, Over 2.7 million people owned guns legally, underscoring the worst crime situation and inadequate jurisdiction of the country.
Mexico
In 2019, more than 3.9 million crimes were registered in the country committed with a gun. Almost 140,000 civilians in 2015-2021 were killed by guns, which reflects the intensity of the issue. The predominant cause of the increasing number of cases of gun violence in Mexico is illegal gun trafficking from the United States and lenient laws. A report published in 2021, showcased that gun trafficked from the United States would cost around $250 million. The easy availability of firearms persists in curbing the gun violence prevalent in the country.
Colombia
More than 8,500 homicides by gun have been recorded in Colombia in 2022, placing it among the countries with the highest rates of gun deaths. Different measures are being taken by the government to restrict gun-related crime, and that’s why gun-carrying has been banned since 2012 in Bogotá and Medellín. Nevertheless, the accessibility of illegal weapons and support for armed gangs keep on fueling the mayhem in the country.
India
With the increasing instability in many cities of the country, gun violence has become a rising concern for India. According to the survey, in 2019, India was classified as the fifth country to report the highest rate of gun death and 14,710 casualties by gun violence. There are strict gun laws by the government, but the increased number of unlicensed firearms has become a considerable problem to enhance gun violence. To control increasing gun violence, India has to make sure that the rules are thrust upon with authority.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan has been the hub of war and conflicts for decades. Hence, there is a high rate of all kinds of violence. The country records more than 740,000 casualties every year due to armed violence. The firearm is readily available in the country due to the years of war, and after the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, gun violence has surged even further. Clashes in rural areas, tribal disputes, and insurgent attacks also keep spiking gun violence.
Nigeria
From 2006 to 2021, more than 169,033 violent deaths have been reported in Nigeria, with firearms responsible for a lot of them. The upsurge in gun and other forms of violence in the country is largely driven by terrorism. Despite having a powerful law concerning gun ownership, Nigeria is known as the largest illicit small arms market. Borno State is the most affected area, followed by Lagos, Kaduna, Zamfara, Plateau, Delta, Benue, Rivers, and Adamawa in the country.
Venezuela
It is the most dangerous country in Latin America, currently enduring an economic and political crisis. In 2017, the country was also ranked second for the highest rate of homicide because of increasing violence against civilians. In 2022, Venezuela recorded 40.4 murders for every 100,000 civilians compared to 2017. The political unrest, the absence of stern laws, deteriorating social life conditions, and the prevalence of illicit weapons are the major reasons for increasing gun violence in the country.
Philippines
In 2022 alone, over 5,172 gun violence cases were reported in the Philippines, making it prone to firearm violence. Its increasing rate of poverty and corruption, coupled with easy accessibility to guns surged the gun violence. Further, the government has also allowed the ownership of semi-automatic rifles after the amendments in firearm law. This might make the situation worse in the future by promoting gun culture.
Ethiopia
The country witnessed a surge in gun violence, leading to regional ethnic violence and easy gun ownership. Profligate use of small arms has taken the lives of hundreds of people in several conflicts, festering concern for the security and safety of innocent civilians. Nevertheless, the government has put into practice strict laws to check it and also implemented a new gun control law. Last year, the seizure of 21 machine guns, over 33,000 handguns, and 275 rifles in different parts of the Horn of Africa country underscored the growing gun ownership, contributing to the rising firearm violence.
Guatemala
In 2023, the country witnessed a homicide rate of 16.7 per 100,000 people, which was equal to 2,944 people per day losing their lives. The figure is devastating and poses a concern regarding the many civilian lives. The leading causes of impunity and the rise in violence in Guatemala are the ineffectiveness of law enforcement, drug trafficking, and gang violence. Even though the government has made several efforts on different occasions to control gun violence, the criminally oriented groups continue adding to the oils to fuel the fire and make the situation even worse.
Jamaica
Jamaica has one of the highest rates of gun violence in the world, and for two consecutive years, it has also witnessed the highest murder rate in the world. In 2021, the country registered over 1,370 murders, of which 70 percent were committed using firearms. Social inequality, easy access to illegal firearms, poverty, and the drug trade are major reasons giving rise to gun violence and other crimes. To reduce these issues, the government must enforce gun control measures more strictly.