The aftermath of Bernardino

With 342 mass shootings this year, reforms are imperative to prevent such senseless killings

San Bernardino, California is the site of the latest US mass shooting. Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik appeared at the former’s work holiday party on December 2 and murdered 14 people, while sending 21 to the hospital with injuries. Inquiries regarding the motive of the attack continue, with the possibility of this being a terror attack still not ruled out, although there are reports that Farook had left the party earlier in anger, and it could possibly be the result of a workplace dispute. It should also be noted that the perpetrators had stockpiled weapons at their residence.

Before proffering speculation and analysis, the US media, authorities and politicians need to realise that they must refrain from jumping to conclusions that could harm community relations in the country. The perpetrators’ Pakistani Muslim identity is sure to complicate matters for the Muslims living in the US. The media, especially, must be careful in its reporting of the event, leaving no room for misinterpretation by the public with regards to how the killers are categorised. After this tragedy, there will be sections of American society that will be all too ready to demonise all Muslims and Pakistanis. It will not come as a surprise if the likes of Donald Trump, who has already created much controversy with irresponsible statements vis-a-vis Muslims during his presidential campaign, use this tragedy to create further tensions. What such elements will conveniently ignore is that the US resistance to institute gun control measures would continue to result in such tragedies. President Barack Obama has again alluded to the need for stricter gun control. While the US Constitution gives citizens the right to bear arms for protection, it has been evident for a long time — with 342 mass shootings just this year according to one report — that reforms are imperative to prevent such senseless killings. The blame for such violence largely lies with the gun lobby and those American lawmakers who refuse to legislate for better gun control.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th,  2015.

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