Four Dead, Over 20 Injured in Alabama Mass Shooting

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The Facts

  • Multiple shooters killed at least four people and injured 21 in the Five Points South, one of the most popular entertainment districts of Birmingham, Alabama, on Saturday evening.

  • According to the Birmingham Police Department, "multiple shooters fired multiple shots on a group of people" on Magnolia Avenue just after 11 pm local time.


The Spin

Left narrative

While the police are trying to catch the attackers and find the motive behind this shooting, there is just one argument that rings true: someone dangerous, probably a convicted felon, had access to a gun. This criminal behavior will not end until the rules around owning a deadly firearm are hardened or the broad legal immunity granted to the gun industry is withdrawn.

Right narrative

The US doesn't have a gun problem; it has a gang and drug problem. Mass shootings aren't about gun control or gun violence. They have more to do with culture than criminality. Gun control just makes law-abiding citizens unarmed victims. One way to potentially save lives is to focus on developing smart guns that prevent indiscriminate, violent use by unauthorized people.


Metaculus Prediction


Political split

LEFT

RIGHT