Local grad student: Rise in mass shootings emphasizes need for stricter Florida gun laws

As of June 2024, Florida has experienced an increase in mass shootings , resulting in the Sunshine State leading the country in such incidents. There have been at least 18 mass shooting incidents in Florida this year, which accounts for about 8% of the United States' total thus far.

In June of last year, the number of mass shooting events in Florida was roughly equal when compared to the same period this year, though slightly less than in 2022. According to the Gun Violence Archive , a mass shooting is defined as an incident “in which bullets hit four or more people, resulting in death or injury.”

This means that more children, mothers, fathers, friends and family members are dying or losing their quality of life due to gun violence .

Shootings are so prevalent in Jacksonville that I have witnessed school children becoming desensitized to the sound of gunfire due to the violence around their neighborhoods and schools. The pain and grief caused by gun violence could be mitigated by enacting stricter gun laws than Florida House Bill 543 and its Senate companion, SB 150 .

Passage of these bills now authorize Floridians to carry a concealed weapon or firearm without a permit. To qualify for a permit, an individual must pass a background check. However, the bills are problematic because they lead to more people carrying firearms, which in turn leads to more mass shootings. This suggestion is supported not only by reports from the Gun Violence Archive, but also by research findings from the British Medical Journal .

These studies indicate that from 1998 to 2014, states with more restrictive gun laws had significantly fewer mass shootings. The only solution to decrease the number of mass shootings is to implement more restrictive gun laws.

Massachusetts has the strictest gun laws in the U.S. The Firearms Records Bureau states , “Massachusetts residents 15 years and older who wish to possess, carry and transport firearms, ammunition and feeding devices are required to have a firearms license.” The licenses are issued by municipal police departments.

To obtain one, residents must pass a training class from an independent instructor certified by the Massachusetts State Police, a safety course at a local law enforcement agency or a certified instructor who teaches the Basic Hunter Education course.

Once a resident has earned a firearms license, they may only carry the gun within 500 feet of a building or dwelling with the owner’s or occupant's permission when hunting. Any firearm in a vehicle must be unloaded, stored in a locked case and placed in the rear compartment or trunk of the vehicle. In homes, firearms must be unloaded, stored in a locked case and separated from the ammunition.

As reported by the Gun Violence Archive, the number of mass shooting incidents in Massachusetts is less than five, while Florida's number is currently creeping upwards of 20. With half a year left, Florida’s permissive gun laws will most likely lead to even more such events this year. If Florida's gun laws were like Massachusetts,' mass shootings might no longer be a traumatic crisis here.

Changing the gun laws in Florida will not be easy, but it is worth the fight because it will save lives and decrease violence.

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To address the lenient gun laws in Florida, signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on April 3, 2023, awareness must be raised about how harmful this is. The law can be made more restrictive through lobbying — making phone calls, sending emails and meeting face-to-face with state representatives and senators.

Floridians can also act by seeking advice and joining advocacy groups and lobbyists to expedite communication with legislators. Groups like Moms Demand Action and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence can be contacted. Individuals can also start their own advocacy groups. More awareness about this heinous gun law can be raised through social media, opinion pieces , press conferences and grassroots campaigns.

Examples of grassroots campaigning include community events, town halls and informational sessions. Florida residents can also attend committee hearings to discuss testimony against the current gun law or create and sign petitions to demand that Gov. DeSantis veto the current gun law.

Chandell Robinson Bing is pursuing a master's of social work from Our Lady of the Lake University. She lives in Jacksonville.

This guest column is the opinion of the author and does not necessarily represent the views of the Times-Union. We welcome a diversity of opinions .

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Local grad student: Rise in mass shootings emphasizes need for stricter Florida gun laws