The Facts
Multiple shooters killed at least four people and injured 21 more in the Five Points South, one of the most popular entertainment districts of Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday evening.
According to the Birmingham Police Department, "multiple shooters fired multiple shots on a group of people" on Magnolia Avenue just after 11 pm local time.
The Spin
The motive of Saturday night's shooting is still unclear, and the suspects haven't been identified. Law enforcement is investigating the unfortunate incident and trying to trace down the perpetrator responsible for preying on innocent Americans. More answers to this tragedy will not be available until the probe is concluded and the attackers are brought to justice.
While the police are trying to catch the attackers and find the motive behind this shooting, there is just one argument that rings true: someone dangerous, probably a convicted felon, had access to a gun. This criminal behavior will not end until the rules to own the leading cause of death for unsuspecting Americans are hardened or the broad legal immunity granted to the gun industry is withdrawn.
The US doesn't have a gun problem; it has a gang and drug problem. Mass shootings aren't about gun control or gun violence. They have more to do with culture than criminality. Gun control just makes law-abiding citizens unarmed victims. The only way to reduce mass shootings and save lives is to focus on developing smart guns that prevent indiscriminate, violent use by unauthorized people.
