Rampage at Virginia Walmart follows upward trend in supermarket gun attacks – here’s what we know about retail mass shooters
The ConversationNov 26, 2022
The Facts
The city of Chesapeake, Va., has identified the gunman who shot and killed six people at a local Walmart as Andre Bing. The city added that the 31-year-old store employee "was armed with one handgun and had multiple magazines on his person."
There were approximately 50 people inside when Bing entered the employee break room where he shot 10 people, killing six before taking his own life. It's yet unknown if he owned the gun legally, but police say he was dressed in "civilian" clothing and was not wearing any protective gear.
The Spin
Right narrative
While tragic, the idea that these shootings are very common in America is false. More Americans die from drowning every year than in mass shootings, but you don't hear about that. Politicians on the left focus on mass shootings to garner political points. More must be done to address the root causes of the violence — simply curbing the rights of law-abiding gun owners isn't the answer.
Left narrative
Once again, the utter lack of gun regulation has created a tragedy. No one should have to risk their lives while they shop for the holidays, but too many politicians have accepted this as a way of life. Gun violence can be reduced while also maintaining the rights of gun owners, but more must be done to ensure that guns don't fall into the wrong hands.
