Authorities are concerned that mass shootings and gun violence may desensitize Americans

AP

The director of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is concerned that the succession of mass shootings and other acts of gun violence in the country may desensitize Americans to bloodshed, fostering apathy instead of driving communities to take action.

The statements from ATF Director Steve Dettelbach to The Associated Press came after he met this week with the families of some of the 18 people who died in a bowling alley and bar in Lewiston, Maine, in October at the hands of a military reservist who later committed suicide.

Dettlebach pointed out that people should not accept gun violence as something routine in American life.

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“It seems to me that things we used to consider memorable, life-altering events that you could think about and talk about for months or years, now happen with a frequency that makes us think, ‘That's just what happened this week,” he said. “If we come to accept it, it will be a major impediment to addressing the problem.”

Dettelbach, whose agency is responsible for enforcing the country's gun laws, met for nearly two hours at the Central Maine Community College with family members of the deceased and survivors of the Lewiston shooting. An AP reporter also attended, along with other law enforcement officers.

Some expressed frustration over the lack of warning signs and wondered why the perpetrator was able to obtain the weapon he used. Dettelbach told attendees that they can be a powerful catalyst for change.

“I'm sorry we have to be in a place where these horrible tragedies have to occur for people to pay attention, but they have to pay attention,” Dettelbach said.

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“I can go out and talk, but your voices are very important and powerful voices. So if you decide to use them, you need to understand that it makes a difference. It really makes a difference.”

Among those who met with Dettelbach were members of Maine's tight-knit deaf and hard-of-hearing community, which lost four people in the October 25 shooting at a bowling alley and bar.

Dettelbach's conversation with the victims was part of a tour of New England that also included meetings with law enforcement officials and others to discuss ways to address gun violence.

Dettelbach, who has expressed support for universal background checks and a ban on so-called assault weapons, said he regularly meets with those affected by gun violence.