Over the years I have heard from a number of Travel Between The Pages readers who have asked if it was safe to visit the United States. With the caveat that most North American cities have no-go neighborhoods, I have encouraged folks to travel here. However, it has become painfully obvious that the U.S. has become an unsafe place and I would caution travelers to think carefully before planning a trip to the United States.

That’s not to say that everywhere in the U.S. should be avoided. In fact, some of the places, such as New York City, that have unfounded reputations for safety issues are still wonderful places for a vacation. I also feel confident in endorsing travel to most of our fantastic national parks.

But the tragic reality is that the U.S. has become a dangerous place because of our insane gun laws. While states that have Democratic governments continue to try and control gun ownership, many states governed by right-wing Republicans eccourage an insane adherence to the love of firearms.

The map above shows the location and relative severity of each of the mass shooting incidents in the US between 2009 and 28 March 2023.A mass shooting is defined as any incident in which four or more people are shot and killed.Since 2009, there have been 306 mass shootings, resulting in 1,710 people shot and killed and 1,087 people shot and wounded.

I encourage any TBTP readers to contact me or a trusted U.S. resident before planning a trip here. While it is a tragic irony that visitors to this country are probably safer than school children, gun violence is real.