Barking shooting: is the UK any better than America?
In a horrific display of gun violence, a man was shot dead in Barking on Sunday 13th October in the early hours of morning.
Locals have been left shaken and uneasy, with one Barking resident, Tahrim Aziz, revealing that they ‘[woke] up to find out someone got shot and killed just a couple roads away from me'.
The local comments on how terrified they were, ‘especially when the report ended with "no arrests have been made" because it makes you feel like you could be next’.
This news subsequently turns our thoughts to America’s own problem with shootings, and begs the two questions:
1. What more can the UK do about gun violence?
Unlike in the US, the possession of firearms are strictly regulated, and so the Barking shooting provokes shock and fear when we know that there are supposed to be laws in place to keep us all safe.
2. Is the UK any better off than America in terms of gun violence?
To answer the second question first, the statistics are clear:
In 2021 the US saw 48,830 people die from injuries that were gun-related [Pew Research Centre].
Meanwhile 2020/2021 saw the UK’s highest number of homicide offences where a firearm was used - 35 recorded in England and Wales [statistica.com].
Looking across the pond at America, there have been over 385 school shootings alone this year up to 5 September according to the Gun Violence Archive.
In contrast we have had none in the UK.
So in terms of statistics, the answer is undeniably ‘Yes’. Yes, the UK is better off - and by a great margin when comparing 35 to 48,830.
That much is a relief.
But for the first question there is of course no clear-cut answer.
In the case of the Barking shooting we know relatively little. Det Ch Insp Mark Rodgers from the Met, who is leading the investigation has said, 'we have made two arrests which is a positive step forward into building a picture of what happened on Sunday night… we need to understand why this attack was carried out’.
But the question we may still be asking ourselves is: What more can the UK do about gun violence?
The Firearms Act of 1968 sets out rigorous rules for gun ownership, stating that an owner of a firearm must have a license awarded on the basis of the owner having ‘a regular, legitimate basis for work, sport or leisure.’
The government website states ‘Gun ownership is a privilege, not a right. Firearms control in GB is among the toughest in the world and, as a result, firearms offences continue to make up a small proportion of recorded crime.’
The Dunblane school shooting (where 16 children and a teacher were killed) in 1996 caused strong responses from the government, prompting the first banning of handguns in the UK the following year, with more action to come.
As a result on the UK’s tough position on gun violence, this country is known for having one of the lowest death-rates by firearms, with the Met seizing approximately one firearm every day in London.
However there are cracks, as seen with the Barking shooting and the one mass shooting of this year, a horrific incident in which a nine-year-old girl, along with three men at a restaurant were shot by a motorcyclist.
What about the UK laws?
How did this even happen?
The Met conducted a serious investigation into this matter, and a man has now denied four counts of attempted murder.
Now compare that to the America – at least 50 school shootings in this year alone (as of September 19th, according to CNN), with 24 dead and at least 66 others injured.
Compare that to over 385 mass shootings so far in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
Compare that to over fifty people killed by guns every single day in States.
The Barking shooting prompts alarm and a resurgence of fear over gun violence in the UK.
But as for the question – is the UK any better off than America in terms of gun violence? - we as a community must decide.
