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Mississippi's rural regions are becoming increasingly notorious for high rates of gun violence, with some areas ranking among the deadliest in the world.
The Southern Delta region has become synonymous with a culture of deadly disputes and shootings that seem to be perpetuated by lax laws surrounding firearms. "Guns are like having a bottle of water - everybody's got it," said Fred Womack, founder of Operation Good, an organization dedicated to reducing recidivism and training people for jobs.
In the case of Leland High School in Washington County, six people lost their lives after multiple shooters opened fire on fans gathered outside the school following a homecoming football game. This devastating incident has cast a shadow over the community's claims of being non-violent.
A recent report by the Center for American Progress found that eight out of the top 20 counties with the highest annualized gun homicide rate between 2021 and 2024 are located in Mississippi, with five counties ranking among the top 10.
The region's unique combination of poverty, social isolation, and lax gun laws has created an environment where violence is not only tolerated but often encouraged. "It appears that crime isn't declining, and it's an outlier for the rest of the country," said Nick Wilson, senior director of gun violence prevention at the Center for American Progress.
As the US grapples with its gun violence epidemic, these rural regions stand out as examples of how lax laws can fuel deadly disputes.
The Southern Delta region has become synonymous with a culture of deadly disputes and shootings that seem to be perpetuated by lax laws surrounding firearms. "Guns are like having a bottle of water - everybody's got it," said Fred Womack, founder of Operation Good, an organization dedicated to reducing recidivism and training people for jobs.
In the case of Leland High School in Washington County, six people lost their lives after multiple shooters opened fire on fans gathered outside the school following a homecoming football game. This devastating incident has cast a shadow over the community's claims of being non-violent.
A recent report by the Center for American Progress found that eight out of the top 20 counties with the highest annualized gun homicide rate between 2021 and 2024 are located in Mississippi, with five counties ranking among the top 10.
The region's unique combination of poverty, social isolation, and lax gun laws has created an environment where violence is not only tolerated but often encouraged. "It appears that crime isn't declining, and it's an outlier for the rest of the country," said Nick Wilson, senior director of gun violence prevention at the Center for American Progress.
As the US grapples with its gun violence epidemic, these rural regions stand out as examples of how lax laws can fuel deadly disputes.