After hundreds of school shootings, ‘thoughts and prayers’ aren’t cutting it for the US

In light of yet another horrific school shooting in the US, this age-old phrase isn’t cutting it anymore for some Americans.

The world is continuing to process the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, a tragedy that has claimed the lives of 19 students and two teachers.

On Tuesday morning (local time), 18-year-old local high school student Salvador Ramos opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The school is about 96km east of the southern border of Mexico and about 128km west of San Antonio.

About 600 students attend the school, who are enrolled in years two to four. Reports from US media claim most of the victims were aged between seven and 11.

According to one child, the attack occurred as the children came in from recess, when they heard a man “cursing and yelling, and then gunshots”.

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The tragedy was felt across the globe as countless celebrities, politicians and pundits took to social media to share their grief.

“I ask you all of you to join me in praying for our fellow Texans impacted by the horrific shooting in Uvalde today,” Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton said.

“Lord, our refuge and strength, we pray for the souls of those lost, those who were wounded, their families, and our brave first responders.”

For many, however, the age-old “thoughts and prayers” line delivered by particular US politicians was not cutting it. The Robb Elementary shooting is now the 27th this year. Since 2018, the nation of 330 million has witnessed a total of 119 school shootings.

The timeless battle between Republicans and Democrats over the country’s Second Amendment reared its head again, mere minutes after the news broke on Wednesday.

For many, the US simply has not done enough to restrict the availability of deadly weapons to the public. In many cases, Americans are able to buy a firearm three years before they can order a beer.

In this specific case, the 18-year-old shooter had been posting images of his rifles on Instagram in the days leading up to the event.

The tactic on the right In the US to say post another massacre “now is not the time to talk politics, just thoughts and prayers with the families” is obscene. No one is interested in political victory. The objective is *safety*. For children.

— David Baddiel (@Baddiel) May 25, 2022

this BS thoughts and prayers line these maniacal power hungry thieves bring out at times like this make me physically ill. you hold onto that line and your guns harder than the lives you were supposed to be so "pro" about. fuck you. I'm sick.

— Sam Fischer (@SamFischer) May 25, 2022

reminder that thoughts and prayers are not a preventative action

— emilie smith (@evilemilie) May 25, 2022

Thoughts and prayers from Republicans, anger and tears from Democrats... it's ALL performative politics.
Judge them by their actions, and by the political risks they are willing to take to ensure #GunSafetyNow

— Bobby Ghosh (@ghoshworld) May 25, 2022

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US President Joe Biden made a push for stricter gun laws in light of the shooting. In response to the attack, the US flag at the White House was flown at half-mast as a tribute to the victims.

“Beautiful innocent, second, third, fourth graders and how many scores of little children who witnessed what happened, see their friends die, as if they’re in a battlefield, for God’s sake?” he said in an address to the nation.

“The idea that an 18-year-old kid can walk into a gun store and buy two assault weapons is mad. I am sick and tired. We have to act.”

Returning from his meeting with Quad leaders from Toyko, he asked Americans to consider why mass shootings “rarely happen anywhere else in the world,” but do in the US.

A girl cries, comforted by two adults, outside the Willie de Leon Civic Center where grief counselling will be offered in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022.

The attack, the United States’ ———— this year, reignited the debate over gun control mere minutes after the shooter open fire.

Mourners attend a vigil at Sacred Heart Catholic Church for victims of the mass shooting.

Mr Biden also served as Vice President during the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, in which a 20-year-old gunman killed 26 victims, including 20 children aged between six and seven.

While the Obama administration attempted to pass gun control laws which would encourage stricter background checks on gun purchases and the Assault Weapons Ban of 2013, the legislation was culled by the Senate.

“(Other countries) have mental health problems, they have domestic disputes, the have people who are also lost,” said Mr Biden.

“These kinds of mass shootings rarely happen anywhere else in the world.

“Where in god’s name is our backbone? It’s time to turn this pain into action.”

The US flag was flown at half-mast across the nation.

Major sporting leagues including the MLB and NBA honoured victims with a minute of silence.

Former President Barack Obama said it was time for action against gun lobbies refusing to act on the country’s gun crisis.

“Nearly ten years after Sandy Hook — and ten days after Buffalo — our country is paralysed, not by fear, but by a gun lobby and a political party that have shown no willingness to act in any way that might help prevent these tragedies,” he said.

“It’s long past time for action, any kind of action. And it’s another tragedy — a quieter but no less tragic one — for families to wait another day.”

Michelle and I grieve with the families in Uvalde, who are experiencing pain no one should have to bear.

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 25, 2022

Until elected leaders children face the same dangers as average parents children NOTHING CHANGES! Thoughts and Prayers anyone?

— Richard N. Ojeda, II (@Ojeda4America) May 25, 2022

Yes the system is prone to slow stalemates for logical reasons - but that the system which governs the wealthiest nation in history and it offers nothing more than thoughts and prayers. At some point becomes sclerotic, captured by a minority that is better verse in law & power

— faris (@faris) May 25, 2022