In the time since the last presidential election, the United States has seen two terrorist incidents. The first occurred on November 28, 2016, when a man inspired by ISIS propaganda attacked Ohio State University, injuring 11 individuals by crashing his vehicle into a crowd and using a knife. Interestingly, this happened while Barack Obama was still in office. The second attack came from a white supremacist on March 20, 2017, involving a sword and resulting in injuries. This marks the sole domestic terrorist incident during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Despite the intense anti-immigrant discourse that has characterized this administration—often highlighted in the wake of events like the London attacks—the reality is that the risk of death from terrorism is significantly lower than from a variety of other sources.
According to the latest statistics on Wikipedia, in 2016, domestic terrorism claimed 49 lives entirely due to the Orlando nightclub shooting, which stands as the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Meanwhile, gun violence figures reported by the Gun Violence Archive show that a staggering 15,057 Americans were killed by firearms that same year, with 30,601 injured and 2,194 fatalities resulting from accidental shootings. The odds of dying in a gun-related incident are overwhelmingly higher than from a terrorist attack.
Moreover, the flu poses a serious threat that many people underestimate. As of September 15, 2016, the CDC confirmed that there were 85 pediatric deaths associated with influenza in the U.S. While adult fatalities are not tallied as precisely, estimates indicate that between 12,000 and 56,000 adults die annually from flu-related complications. For perspective, 2,996 people died in the 9/11 attacks, and even the Orlando tragedy, while tragic, resulted in 49 deaths—not even close to the flu’s toll.
If the flu isn’t concerning enough, consider the police. While most officers are dedicated and well-trained, a report from PBS Newshour indicates that 957 individuals were killed by police in 2016. Although half of these were white men, black men were three times more likely to be killed by police and represented a significant portion of unarmed fatalities. In contrast, only 64 police officers died in the line of duty that year—more than the number of Americans killed by terrorists.
The statistics reveal a stark picture: in 2016, there were 136,053 accidental deaths in the U.S. Car accidents were particularly deadly, with nearly 40,000 fatalities reported, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This massive scale of suffering starkly contrasts with the 117 individuals injured in terrorist-related incidents.
As parents, our concerns often pivot to our children’s safety. Reports show that in 2014, there were 23,215 infant deaths, equating to 582.1 per 100,000 live births. We worry about everything from their health to their happiness. Yet, data indicates that childhood cancer claimed 3,468 lives that same year, while suicide remains a leading cause of death among children aged 10-14.
It’s crucial to address mental health, as untreated conditions pose a greater threat than terrorism. In 2013, the CDC reported that suicide was the 10th leading cause of death, with 41,149 individuals choosing to end their lives—an average of 113 per day.
Even seemingly benign sources, like dogs, can be dangerous. In 2016, dogs were responsible for 31 fatalities and attacked 4.5 million individuals, with one in five bites leading to infections.
Lightning strikes claimed 38 lives that year, while accidental falls resulted in 31,959 deaths. Accidental poisoning also contributed to the death toll, with estimates suggesting that foodborne illnesses kill around 3,000 Americans annually.
As parents, we have so much to consider: from ensuring our kids eat healthily to safeguarding their emotional well-being. The real threats are often not those sensationalized in the media. Instead, they are issues like car safety, mental health, and access to healthcare. Rather than focusing on immigrants or refugees, we should be channeling resources towards making roads safer, addressing opioid misuse, and improving health care access for all.
The proposed Muslim ban will not resolve these pressing issues.
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Summary:
Statistically, the odds of dying from terrorism are much lower than fatalities from firearms, accidents, or health issues like influenza. Parents have more immediate concerns regarding their children’s safety and health than the threats posed by terrorism. Collective efforts should focus on pressing issues such as mental health care, road safety, and access to healthcare, rather than misguided policies targeting specific groups.