WASHINGTON, 17 Auigust. - (ANA)  - As the US continues its battle with coronavirus - most days bring more than 50,000 new cases and 1,000 deaths - it is also confronting an outbreak of gun violence.

 

While the US coronavirus pandemic is far from over, many American cities are also facing another major threat - a surge in violent crime.

 

According to new data from the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) think tank, recorded rates of aggravated assault and gun assault have rocketed in recent months. And “from May to June 2020, homicides in 20 major US cities increased by 37%” year-on-year, reports CNN.

 

Gun crime, in particular, has proved a major scourge across the country: according to NBC New York, shooting incidents in the city over the past four weeks have been nearly three times higher than during the same period last year.  - (ANA) -

 

AB/ANA/17 August 2020 - - -