U.S. gun violence and COVID-19

Although U.S. COVID-19 restrictions have kept many people at home and dropped the number of mass shootings in the country, gun violence persists.

In April 2020, U.S. mass shootings dropped 24%, compared to a year ago.

But as business and public spaces closed because of COVID-19, gun sales increased.

The South China Morning Post reports, gun sales jumped more than 85% in March 2020, compared to the previous year.

Axios reports, "Nerves are frayed, and cities are reporting gun violence at grocery stores and other public spaces over people exercising what they believe are their rights."

Fort Worth, Texas

Five people were shot and wounded at a park gathering of about 600 people in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday night.

Although Texas has begun the reopening process, COVID-19 protection measures such as social distancing are still in effect.

Authorities don't know why so many people gathered at the park, but witnesses say they heard fireworks and then several rounds of gunshots.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Last Wednesday, four McDonald's employees were injured in Oklahoma City, after police say a customer was angered over the closure of the dining area because of COVID-19. Police say the woman got into a physical confrontation with an employee, and was forced to leave the restaurant, but then returned with a handgun and shot the employees.

In Stillwater, a small town north of Oklahoma City, the local government amended an emergency order requiring face masks be worn inside businesses after some faced violent threats. It now simply "encourages" face masks.

Flint, Michigan

In Flint, Michigan, two men were arrested Friday after the fatal shooting of a security guard over COVID-19 restrictions inside a Family Dollar Store.

Calvin Munerlyn, the security guard, had asked a customer to leave the store because she wasn't wearing a mask.

Police say two relatives of the customer later returned to the store and one shot Munerlyn in the head.

According to the local NBC affiliate, the suspects said Munerlyn had been "disrespectful."

Other retaliatory actions against COVID-19 restrictions in the U.S. involve less lethal means.

A Michigan man was arrested on assault charges earlier this month after a Dollar Tree employee told him he needed to wear a mask while in the store.

The 68-year-old man responded by wiping his nose on the employee's shirt.

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