A new report published earlier in August revealed an interesting fact regarding the juxtaposition of fatalities caused by mass shootings in the United States and heat-related deaths in France, with France having accumulated more heat-related deaths this summer alone than deaths stemming from mass shootings throughout all of U.S. history.
A common criticism from across the pond that most Americans who’ve scrolled through the political corners of social media in the past decade-plus have come across is the mention of “gun violence” or “mass shootings” as a means to ridicule American policies and culture. Yet, in just over a month’s period this summer in France, heat-related deaths have surpassed deaths caused by mass shootings in the United States’ entire history.
Between June 17th and July 22nd, France reportedly recorded nearly 7,000 deaths attributed to the ongoing heatwave in the country, whereas the United States has recorded 1,741 fatalities linked to mass shootings historically. Data extending out to mid-August showed France’s heat-related death toll surpassed 7,300 while Germany reportedly recorded nearly 10,000 heat-related deaths during the same summer period.
While not to downplay the tragic nature of mass shootings, it’s hard to take criticism from foreigners across the pond seriously regarding the harm caused by mass shootings in America when their own governments let their citizens die by the thousands annually because of strict regulations regarding in-home air conditioning.
When dealing with historic cities like Paris, it’s even worse with respect to air conditioning restrictions because the government has a general disdain for the noise pollution and unaesthetic appearance of outdoor compressor units. Somehow the ‘City of Love’ also subscribes to the idea that grandma has to die of heatstroke because in-home air conditioning would make the façade of the building unpleasant to the eye.
It’s not to say there aren’t heat-related deaths in the United States either, as this year there have been approximately 4,000 cases stateside, but when reviewing the data on where said deaths are occurring most often, it turns out the literal desert states of Arizona and Nevada are where they’re happening most, and government restrictions on air conditioning in the United States aren’t really a thing. Rather, direct exposure to the desert elements via homelessness is among the top contributing factors in heat-related deaths stateside.
It’s certainly food for thought for the next time you encounter someone from Europe online spouting off about “mass shootings” in America, where a simple reply depicting an air conditioning unit would say it all.
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