We’re 128 days into 2023, and the US has recorded at least 199 mass shootings. The latest scene of horror was a crowded outlet mall near Dallas, Texas where 9 people were killed and at least 7 people injured when a man opened fire using an AR-15 style weapon (a lightweight semi-automatic rifle considered to be the “weapon of choice” for mass shooters). Local police chief Brian Harvey said an officer was at the scene on another matter – he heard the shots, rushed towards them, and killed the gunman. Republican Governor Greg Abbott called the attack an “unspeakable tragedy”. Last week, he was under pressure over the state’s loose gun laws after 5 people were shot and killed in their home by a neighbour. Taking a different approach is Serbia after 2 separate mass shootings last week killed 17 people. President Aleksandar Vučić has vowed to implement Australian-style gun laws to disarm the country, which has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world.