UAE

A Closer Look: America's mass shooting epidemic

The National hears from the head of the Washington DC bureau Tom Watkins

The National

April 20, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

A Closer Look is The National's show where we take an in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.

Gun crime is a danger that residents in the UAE have no fear of ever encountering while in the Emirates. But across the globe, US residents live in the knowledge that every day, a mass shooting is carried out on home soil.

In the last 10 days alone, a shooting at a party in Alabama has left four teenagers dead, and in Kentucky a bank employee killed five of his colleagues.

However, many who live among the roughly 350 million guns owned in America also tend to look towards the Middle East with criticism about violence and gun death.

This week, the head of The National's Washington DC bureau, Tom Watkins, visited Abu Dhabi and had a chance to look back at his adopted home. With fresh perspective he recounts the reality of living in a country with a worsening gun problem, and very little being done about it.

You can read a more detailed account of Tom's experience here.

Read more

Tennessee Governor moves to strengthen background checks after Nashville shooting

Pupils across US stage walkouts over school shootings

Speaking out about gun violence: in pictures

Miguel Cerrillo, father of Miah Cerrillo, a grade four pupil at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, wipes away tears as he speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington. EPA
Miguel Cerrillo, father of Miah Cerrillo, a grade four pupil at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, wipes away tears as he speaks during a House Committee on Oversight and Reform hearing on gun violence on Capitol Hill in Washington. EPA
Miah, who survived the mass shooting, appears on a screen during the hearing. The New York Times / AP
Miah, who survived the mass shooting, appears on a screen during the hearing. The New York Times / AP
Felix and Kimberly Rubio, parents of Lexi Rubio, 10, a victim of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, speak before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Felix and Kimberly Rubio, parents of Lexi Rubio, 10, a victim of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, speak before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Congressman Pete Aguilar speaks with reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence following the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. AP
Congressman Pete Aguilar speaks with reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence following the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. AP
Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Lucy McBath talk to reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence. AP
Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries and Congresswoman Lucy McBath talk to reporters about Democratic efforts to curb gun violence. AP
Ms McBath's son, Jordan, was killed by gun violence in 2012. AP
Ms McBath's son, Jordan, was killed by gun violence in 2012. AP
Activists rally in Washington outside the US Capitol demanding action from Congress. AFP
Activists rally in Washington outside the US Capitol demanding action from Congress. AFP
Activists hold up a sign outside the US Capitol. AP
Activists hold up a sign outside the US Capitol. AP
Representative Carolyn Maloney speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Representative Carolyn Maloney speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Greg Jackson, executive director of the Community Justice Action Fund, speaks during the committee hearing. Reuters
Activists protest near Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the March for Our Lives demonstration, which will take place on Saturday. AFP
Activists protest near Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the March for Our Lives demonstration, which will take place on Saturday. AFP
Gun control activists hold up signs in Washington. AFP
Gun control activists hold up signs in Washington. AFP
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia speaks during the hearing. EPA
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia speaks during the hearing. EPA
National Education Association President Becky Pringle speaks during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
National Education Association President Becky Pringle speaks during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, speaks before the committee. Reuters
Nick Suplina, senior vice president for law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety, speaks before the committee. Reuters
Activists rally against gun violence on Wednesday in Washington. AFP
Activists rally against gun violence on Wednesday in Washington. AFP
Activists wear orange, a colour representing gun violence in the US. AFP
Activists wear orange, a colour representing gun violence in the US. AFP
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before the committee. EPA
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears before the committee. EPA
Dr Roy Guerrero, a paediatrician from Uvalde, Texas, speaks before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Dr Roy Guerrero, a paediatrician from Uvalde, Texas, speaks before the committee. The New York Times / AP
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, second row right, listens to survivors of gun violence. EPA
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, second row right, listens to survivors of gun violence. EPA
Zeneta Everhart, mother of Zaire Goodman, who was injured in the Buffalo, New York, shooting, said that her son's leg is riddled with shrapnel. EPA
Zeneta Everhart, mother of Zaire Goodman, who was injured in the Buffalo, New York, shooting, said that her son's leg is riddled with shrapnel. EPA
Representative Robin Kelly tears up during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
Representative Robin Kelly tears up during the hearing on gun violence. EPA
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of many who became emotional during the hearing. EPA
Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of many who became emotional during the hearing. EPA
Lucretia Hughes, of DC Project - Women for Gun Rights, becomes emotional during the hearing. AP
Lucretia Hughes, of DC Project - Women for Gun Rights, becomes emotional during the hearing. AP
Republicans Jim Jordan and James Comer confer during the hearing. Reuters
Republicans Jim Jordan and James Comer confer during the hearing. Reuters
Gabby Giffords, a former Democratic US representative, speaks during the opening of the Gun Violence Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday. Ms Giffords was shot at a political rally in Tucson, Arizona, in 2011. AFP
Gabby Giffords, a former Democratic US representative, speaks during the opening of the Gun Violence Memorial on the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday. Ms Giffords was shot at a political rally in Tucson, Arizona, in 2011. AFP
Our legal advisor

Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.

Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.

If you go

The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.

Company profile

Name: Tharb

Started: December 2016

Founder: Eisa Alsubousi

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: Luxury leather goods

Initial investment: Dh150,000 from personal savings

 

Step by step

2070km to run

38 days

273,600 calories consumed

28kg of fruit

40kg of vegetables

45 pairs of running shoes

1 yoga matt

1 oxygen chamber

Updated: March 06, 2024, 8:09 AM`
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