Drive-by shootings
Drive-by shootings are a form of gun violence where perpetrators attack targets from a moving vehicle, allowing for a quick escape from the scene. Often linked to gang activity, these incidents serve multiple purposes, including the elimination of rival gang members and instilling fear within communities. They have historical roots, dating back to the 1920s during the Prohibition era, and have evolved alongside drug-related violence in contemporary society. The tactics used in drive-by shootings are characterized by their public nature, which aims to send messages to rival groups much like acts of terrorism.
The prevalence of these shootings has raised significant concerns about public safety and has influenced gun control legislation, especially as automatic weapons are frequently involved. Drive-by shootings not only impact the immediate victims but also affect innocent bystanders and contribute to a climate of fear in neighborhoods, often those that are socio-economically disadvantaged. The ongoing nature of this violence has led to discussions on its systemic causes, including drug policies and gang dynamics. Understanding drive-by shootings requires a multifaceted perspective, recognizing both their historical context and contemporary implications.
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Drive-by shootings
SIGNIFICANCE: Because they provide the offenders with quick escapes from the scenes of their crimes, drive-by shootings have been popular among criminals with violent intentions, particularly youths who are members of violent gangs.
Commonly associated with gang activity, drive-by shootings are used not only to kill rival gang members but also to terrorize rivals. Drive-by shootings have also been associated with systemic drug violence, as drug dealers use them to eliminate rival drug dealers or buyers who fail to pay for their drug purchases.
Although they first gained national notoriety during the 1980s, drive-by shootings are not a modern development. Indeed, the 1920s is well known for the large numbers of drive-by shootings associated with Prohibition-era gangsters. Moreover, even before the invention of the automobile, outlaws simply rode horses when they staged similar hit-and-run attacks on their rivals.
Just as prohibition of alcohol was associated with drive-by shootings, drug-related policies are a primary factor in the twenty-first century. Because drive-by shootings allow perpetrators to flee the scene with less chance of identification or immediate retaliation, many drug dealers employ them as low-risk forms of attack on rivals who may themselves be armed. Automobiles provide convenient cover for concealing weapons and surprising victims. Because drug dealing is most commonly done outdoors, on the streets of low-income neighborhoods, drive-by attacks are often effective in achieving their purpose.
Drive-by shootings have also provided a popular way for members of street gangs to strike rivals. The public nature of the attacks is an effective way of sending public messages to rival gangs. Indeed, drive-by shootings are predicated on a rationale similar to that used by international terrorists who prefer to make their violent strikes as public as possible. For this reason, drive-by shootings are listed under antiterrorism statutes in a number of states.
One ramification of drive-by shootings has been their impact on legislation for gun control. The use of automatic weapons in drive-by attacks, particularly those in which innocent bystanders are injured or killed, has increased pressure on politicians to eliminate such weapons.
Bibliography
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Trau, Morgan. "Ohio Had Two Mass Shootings in One Weekend; GOP Lawmakers Say Gun Safety Regulations Won't Fix Issue." Ohio Capital Journal, 25 June 2024, ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/25/ohio-had-2-mass-shootings-in-1-weekend-gop-lawmakers-say-gun-safety-regulations-wont-fix-issue/. Accessed 25 June 2024.