UNITED STATES—The Trump administration and the United States Department of Justice are working together on a proposal to expedite the trials and use of the death penalty for individuals found guilty in mass shootings.

A recent mass shooting occurred in the Midland-Odessa area of Texas on August 31, resulting in the deaths of 7 people, and 19 others were injured. Another mass shooting in Chicago, claimed the lives of 7 people and injured 35 on Monday, September 2.  Ten students were injured at a highschool football game in Mobile, Alabama on August 30, six who were shot. Nine people killed, and approximately 27 injured in Dayton, Ohio on August 4. A shooter killed 22 people at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas on August 3.

On July 25, Attorney General William Barr announced the reinstatement of capital punishment for violent offenders. Vice President Mike Pence made a public statement regarding the recent surge of violence in the country.

Posted by Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday, August 31, 2019

The suspect in the Midland, Texas shooting was a two-time felon. The Chicago shooter was also a convicted felon who reportedly stole a semi-automatic rifle. Current laws prevent the purchase of firearms by felons.

The complete text of gun laws already in place can be found on the U.S. Department of Justice website.

While in Charlottesville, Virginia, Beto O’Rourke answered a question regarding the fear that someone might come and take their guns by stating:

“Let me be really clear that that’s exactly what we are going to do. Americans who own AR-15’s, AK-47’s, will have to sell them to the government. We’re not going to allow them to stay on our streets, to show up in our communities, to be used against us in our synagogues, our Churches, our mosques, our Walmart’s, our public places.”

At his campaign rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, former Vice President Joe Biden indicated his disdain for President Trump’s efforts to make a stiffer penalty for those found guilty of mass shootings. Biden publicly stated that President Trump did not have the “Intestinal fortitude” to stand up to the gun manufacturing lobby.

The U.S. Department of Justice reportedly wrote the proposal which will be presented for debate following the August recess. According to Marc Short, Chief of Staff for Vice President Mike Pence, is currently working with the Trump administration and Attorney General on the issue.

Written By Sharon Stice