Kansas City parade shooting shows gun violence danger lurks wherever people gather in US

A Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City, Missouri, has become another joyful celebration marred by gun violence in the United States, a lurking danger that hovers over Americans as they gather together to celebrate, honor and commemorate.

The chance that a single event might become the scene of violence is relatively small, but tragedy after tragedy has become a part of the national psyche. Meanwhile, some politicians and advocates are again questioning where in America it is truly safe to gather in celebration.

In 2017 a gunman shot more than 11,000 rounds of ammunition at an outdoor country music concert near his Las Vegas hotel as fans crouched in terror, killing 60. In 2022, a man with a rifle fired into a July 4th parade outside Chicago. Parents frantically ran, some holding their children and 7 died.

And now, 11 children were shot in the moments after a Super Bowl victory parade in Kansas City on Wednesday, where thousands of red-clad fans ran for their lives across confetti-strewn streets. In total 22 people suffered gunshot wounds, including one fatality, Interim Fire Chief Ross Grundyson said.

“I think that’s something that all of us who are parents, who are just regular people living each day, have to decide what we wish to do about,” said Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, who attended the parade with his wife and mother and had to run for cover when gunfire broke out.

“Parades, rallies, schools, movies. It seems like almost nothing is safe,” he said.

Bullets at sports events, parades and concerts are still relatively rare. But they resonate deeply in a nation that has a long tradition of gathering and celebrating together.

Last year the United States experienced ten fatal public mass shootings that killed 72 people, according to USA TODAY’s mass killing database, a partnership with The Associated Press and Northeastern University. That’s the most in a year since tracking began in 2006.

“This shooting is yet another reminder that no parade, no church, no school — really, nowhere at all — is safe from America’s gun violence crisis," John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, said after the Kansas City shooting.

Kevin Sanders, 53, of Lenexa, Kansas, summed it up even more simply. “It sucks that someone had to ruin the celebration," he said after hearing the gunshots while being in the crowd for Wednesday's parade.

Renewed calls for stricter gun laws

In Kansas City, more than 800 law enforcement officers were on hand to provide security along the parade route, said Police Chief Stacey Graves.

But in a nation awash in guns, it's hard for law enforcement to prevent such attacks. Some leaders and activists say that means the nation needs stricter gun laws in general.

Lucas has joined with mayors across the country in calling for new laws to reduce gun violence, including mandating universal background checks.

Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala said the shooting is should prompt politicians to tighten gun laws.

She said the Super Bowl victory parade should have been "pure joy" but became a tragedy for a community.

American attitudes towards gun violence seem to be shifting slightly. Six in ten adults last year said gun violence was a very big problem in the country, up 9 percentage points from 2022, according to the Pew Research Center. And almost two in three said they expect the level of gun violence to increase over the next five years.

The Super Bowl – watched this year by more than one in three Americans – "is the most unifying event in America," President Joe Biden said late Wednesday.

"Nothing brings more of us together. And the celebration of a Super Bowl win is a moment that brings a joy that can’t be matched to the winning team and their supporters. For this joy to be turned to tragedy today in Kansas City cuts deep in the American soul."

He called for a ban on assault weapons, limits on high-capacity magazines and strengthened background checks.

"Today’s events should move us, shock us, shame us into acting. What are we waiting for? What else do we need to see?" he said.

Parade worries were different

When the San Francisco 49s won the Super Bowl in 1982, their city threw a disastrous parade, in part because officials had planned for 25,000 people to attend and instead 500,000 showed.

It was a case of “civic negligence,” the San Francisco Chronicle wrote, because police moved part of the parade route to accommodate the crowd, meaning many who had lined up for hours never got to see their team go by. “It was the worst parade I never saw,” 49ers fan John Sheridan told paper.

Today officials must speak to other issues.

“I appreciate the bravery and coordination of the law enforcement officers, first responders, and health care workers for ensuring a swift, orderly evacuation and caring for the victims,” Rep. Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), of neighboring Kansas City, Kansas, wrote on X.

“The traumatic memories of today will stick with children, families and community members for far too long. This does not reflect the spirit of Kansas City, and I support those asking for a chance to ensure a brighter and safer future,” she posted.