Day 86: The Other ‘Epidemic’

Flags on federal properties are once again flying at half staff, in memorial to the victims of yet another mass shooting in America.

“[E]very single day there’s a mass shooting in the United States, if you count all those who are killed out on the streets of our cities and our rural areas. It’s a national embarrassment and must come to an end,” President Joe Biden said, during a news conference from the White House Rose Garden, echoing himself from a week ago.

Nine were killed — including the shooter, from an apparent self-inflicted wound — five injured, after a former employee opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis. Although the motive is still under investigation, many point to the facility’s significant Sikh population. The suspect was 19-years-old.

There’s been some 45 mass shootings since this time last month, when 8 were killed in a targeted shooting spree of Asian-owned massage spas in Georgia.

Although his focus is Covid and the economy, Biden considers the gun violence an “epidemic” that needs to be foremost on Congress’s mind.

“I strongly support the universal background checks,” he siad, “…but Congress has to step up and act. The Senate has to act, and I strongly support, and continue — have never stopped supporting — the ban on assault weapons and magazines that hold more than 10 bullets.”

The incident in Indianapolis likely occurred in under two minutes. The suspect apparently shot himself before cops arrived.

“Yet again we have families grieving the loss of their family members because of gun violence,” Vice President Kamala Harris said. “There is no question that this violence must end.”

This week is the 40th National Crime Victims’ Week, the Administration recognized via proclamation.

“Gun violence not only impacts its victims, but also their families, friends, colleagues, first responders, and local communities,” Biden said via statement. “These brave voices — along with the majority of gun-owners who support commonsense measures to keep our communities safe — are speaking up and speaking out for public policy that will put a stop to the violence.”

The U.S. flag shall fly at half staff until sunset, Tuesday.