We've all heard it somewhere; the speculation that mass shootings are becoming more and more frequent in the United States. Surprisingly, Alabama has been listed as one of the six most dangerous states regarding shootings. According to CNN, there were between six and ten mass shootings in Alabama in 2016. They defined mass shootings as any incident with three or more fatalities attributed to gunshots.
However, this CNN statistic does not exactly line up with the FBI view of mass shootings which varies significantly. The FBI considers a mass shooting any shooting that kills four or more people but is not related to any gang activity or domestic issues. When one uses this definition, Alabama is not even ranked on the map of such tragic incidences.
It is a common trend that when the gun control debate is active, the number of gun-related incidents increases. The United States witnessed a rise in active shooters circa 2008 during the beginning of the Obama presidency which discussed many gun control issues. Americans have more guns than any other country, and it's safe to say that even law abiding citizens become a little uneasy when a limitation of arms is discussed.
As Alabamians, we're quite used to hearing mottos like, "God, guns, and glory." It's common practice for many to attend gun shows, go hunting, and exercise target practice. Around here, if you don't own a gun then it's guaranteed that you know someone who does.
On Tuesday, June 27th, Alabamians were shocked to hear of an active shooter threat on Redstone Arsenal. We scrambled to check on our family and friends who were connected to the base in some way. The facility was placed on lockdown, gates were closed, and local news channels interrupted their scheduled programming to bring live updates about the "isolated incident."
After the dust settled, the arsenal released this statement, "This morning, a potential active shooter incident occurred at Redstone Arsenal, in the Sparkman Center. The installation was in lockdown mode with all gates closed, and employees sheltered in place at their respective buildings. As of 12:30 p.m., employees can move about the post in an orderly fashion, but are asked to keep movements limited, as needed. Movement remains restricted in the area near the intersections and roads around the Sparkman Center. The gates to the Arsenal are open and operational. This incident is under investigation. The safety and security of our workforce remains our top priority." An official reported to al.com that the 911 calls which initiated to lockdown had been determined to be false calls.
The entire scenario came as a shock to many. You never expect shootings to happen, so close to home. Luckily, there were no shots fired on Tuesday, but many of us have started to think about the possibility of a real shooting. How do you react to this in your community? The arsenal stated that this alarm enabled them to tighten their protocol for active shooter drills. Hopefully, this accident will encourage the surrounding communities to be more prepared for any potential incidents in the future.
