Republicans and Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Mace, are canceling events and taking other security precautions.

Republicans and Democrats, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Nancy Mace, are canceling events and taking other security precautions.

The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is sending shock waves through Capitol Hill, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressing fears for their own safety and taking greater security precautions following a summer of political violence.

Members are beefing up their security, moving public events indoors or canceling them altogether. One is even vowing to carry firearms.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., the progressive star who has faced numerous death threats over the years, said Thursday she had postponed two public events planned for this weekend in North Carolina, including a rally in Raleigh set for Sunday.

      • LibertyLizard@slrpnk.net
        6·
        17 hours ago

        https://publichealth.jhu.edu/center-for-gun-violence-solutions/research-reports/gun-violence-in-the-united-states

        Carrying firearms in public also increases the risk for violence by escalating minor arguments and increasing the chances that a confrontation will become lethal. Research has found that even the mere presence of a firearm increases aggressive thoughts and actions.20

        Some believe that carrying a firearm will act as a deterrent and help prevent conflicts or minimize harm. While there are specific examples where this was true, there are many more cases where firearm carrying escalates conflict and leads to firearm injury or death. In aggregate, research shows firearm carrying increases levels of violent crime.21

      • BCsven@lemmy.ca
        31·
        17 hours ago

        The commenter may provide a link but if you at an overview take a look at Canada vs USA. In Canada you can get your gun license at 12 for using a firearm, and need to be maybe 16 or 18(I forget) to purchase one. But we don’t have a gun culture of carrying in public. Then look at the USA. Not only is everyone gun happy, they actually live in fear. Gun deaths are often from their own gun used on them.
        It also gives every gun toter a false sense of security, and Imma be a hero mentality, leading to deaths.