Crime rates continue to rise across the globe and every single day we see new demons plaguing humanity. Just a few days ago, a mass shooting took place at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs, US. The incident took place at the club located on the eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains on November 19, 2022. A total of 5 people were killed and 18 were injured during this incident as per media reports. And even before we could get our heads around it, yet another incident of mass shooting has taken place. In a shocking new incident, a man believed to be the manager of a Walmart Supermarket in Chesapeake in the US state of Virginia, open fired in the store and then killed himself. A total of 10 people are believed to be dead and several have been injured.
It’s not uncommon for us to come across reports of mass shootings in the US every now and then. In this recent case, police are yet to find a motive behind the mass shooting. Sadly, gun violence has been plaguing the US for a while now and many believe the reason to be the lenient gun laws in the country. And while guns do play a major role in mass shootings in the US, there’s more to it than just the laws that make it easier for people to get their hands on guns. Recent data analysis has revealed that since 1982, about 131 mass shootings have been carried out by male shooters in the US as opposed to the 3 mass shootings carried out by female shooters. And guess what? According to the crime data about 604 mass shootings have taken place in the US till May 2022 itself.
What these numbers essentially tell us is that it’s mostly the men who have been the perpetrators of gun violence in the US and even the data reveals the same. So, let’s try to understand why are men the ones open firing.
Toxic Masculinity
As per the data, a vast majority of men in the US are gun owners and since they grow up in a majorly patriarchal environment, toxic masculinity and misogyny normalise violent and problematic behaviour. This makes them think it’s okay to resolve their issues with violent behaviour. Gender constructs and societal pressure makes men internalise trauma and prove their manliness in toxic ways like being aggressive, dominating and subjugating women and exerting control and when they fail to do so, they end up feeling less manly which in turn pushes them to resolve conflict and life problems with violence that is made worse with access to guns.
Lack Of Impulse Control
Ever since childhood, women have been told to swallow their anger and control their impulses instead of letting their impulses control them but the same does not go for men. As young boys, their misbehaviour and problematic traits are brushed under the carpet by saying “boys will be boys” or something along those lines, making them think it’s okay to do whatever they want. This is part of why men have little to no impulse control. I mean think about it, if a man misbehaves with a woman, the woman is blamed because how can the man be expected to control his urges and impulse?
Also Read: Texas Elementary School Mass-Shooting Killed 18 Children. Yet, Pro-Lifers Justify Gun Laws But Call Abortion Murder?
Anger Issues
For the longest time, we have normalised men being violent and angry and aggressive. While women are always told that they’re emotional and act out due to their emotions, it is considered that men display fewer emotions and are more logical but isn’t anger an emotion? Men being aggressive has been normalised so much that they’re slowly starting to lose control over their anger issues and emotions. This makes them act out in anger in a violent manner which again has been normalised making it tough for them to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner.
Being Discouraged From Discussing Emotions
How is one supposed to resolve their internal conflicts and trauma when they are unable to share it or talk about it? While it’s normal for women to show emotions and break down and discuss their feelings, men are time and again discouraged from discussing their emotions, feelings and thoughts which makes it tough for them to process them and learn to deal with them. Moreover, they’re also discouraged from venting their emotions in non-violent ways which is also a big cause behind men and their problematic behaviour.
Lack Of Empathy
Men who have empathy are often considered less manly and weak, this forces them to hide away empathy or completely stop empathising with those around them. If we think about it, we almost always expect men to be calm, composed and strong when someone in the family dies and be the rock, this teaches them to suppress their emotions, which in turn makes it tough for them to be empathetical. They’re less inhibited by empathy and with that emotion not holding them back, it’s easier to pull the trigger. More so since men are unwilling to express emotions and seek help when in distress which again makes them act out.
Gun Is A Symbol Of Masculinity
You know how they say, poison is women’s weapon of choice. While men choose weapons that cause more gore and bloodshed, women like to keep their hands clean and we know how much of a mess guns tend to make. This is probably why most men are behind gun violence in the US. Gun is considered to be a sign and symbol of masculinity and that’s why the majority of gun owners in the US are men and not women. And with gun availability, toxic masculinity and peer pressure, men are usually the ones who end up with guns which in turn pushed them closer to gun violence. Be it mass shootings or homicide, all these gun-owning men need to do is pull the trigger in a moment where their brains and judgement are clouded with emotions or anger.