Washington - In 2023, the United States has witnessed a surge in mass killings, recording 42 incidents, inching dangerously close to the unsettling record established in 2019. The recent tragic events in Nevada and Texas further underscore the pervasive violence that has marred the year.

James Alan Fox, a distinguished professor at Northeastern University renowned for his research on mass killings, expresses concern about this disturbing trend. He remarks, "Whether it's a record or not, it's obviously quite disturbing that we are creeping towards that high mark."

While mass killings, defined as incidents involving the death of four or more individuals excluding the perpetrator, remain relatively infrequent, their frequency has seen a troubling increase. The record set in 2019, with 46 mass killings, including the infamous El Paso Walmart shooting, is looming large.

Fox provides insight into the 2023 landscape, revealing that over 40 mass killings have occurred, with only three diverging from gun-related violence. The prevalence of such incidents appears to be accelerating, surpassing the counts of previous years by July.

The year 2023 has set an alarming record with ten mass shootings in public places, as reported by Fox. The toll stands at 632 mass shootings, resulting in 1,336 deaths and 2,625 injuries, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, President Joe Biden has called on Congress to address the "epidemic of gun violence," emphasizing the necessity of banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Fox attributes the surge in mass shootings to factors such as lenient gun laws, the availability of high-capacity magazines, and the prevalence of weapons. He also recognizes the impact of non-gun-related elements like the pandemic, economic hardship, and the political environment.

While the fear of mass shootings is on the rise, Fox underscores their rarity. Predicting future trends remains challenging due to the multifaceted nature of social and economic factors influencing these tragic events.