On Wednesday, Dec. 2, Syed Rizwan Farook and his wife Tashfeen Malik opened fire at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, CA, killing 14 people and wounding 21 others. After dropping their infant daughter off at a relative’s house, the married couple proceeded to attack a training event and a holiday party at the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. Just hours after fleeing the scene, Farook and Malik were gunned down by the police in a shootout that resulted in the injuries of two officers.

Since the San Bernardino massacre, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the possibility that this shooting was an act of terrorism. Although there is no definitive proof that this attack was in any way related to a terrorist network, officials have reported a Facebook post by Malik, connecting her to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria/the Levant (ISIS or ISIL).

According to The L.A. Times, “Farook had contact with people from at least two terrorist organizations overseas.”

Additionally, the couple apparently possessed an arsenal of both ammunition and pipe bombs in their home, but it is unknown what their plans of attack fully consisted of.

In response to this massacre, President Barack Obama issued an address from the Oval Office discussing the issues of mass shootings and counter-terrorism.

Many Americans are arguing in favor of stricter gun laws that might prevent future tragedies and massacres. However, there is no telling whether or not these laws will actually be effective.

Before the shooting, California already had strict policies and laws regarding guns. Apparently, both Farook and Malik used guns that had been legally bought in California. 

Officials are stating that this shooting may have very well been inspired by ISIS since the attackers were praised by the al-Bayan radio used by ISIS’ home base in Iraq. Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Rick Francona stated that even though ISIS has acknowledged the shooters as supporters of their cause, it does not necessarily mean that they are members of the organization. The case is still being investigated by the FBI and it is still undetermined what exactly motivated the married couple to kill 14 innocent people.  

This attack marked the 353rd mass shooting in the United States since the start of 2015. Recent shootings have included the attack on the Planned Parenthood Clinic in Colorado Springs, CO on Nov. 27, and the shootings at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, OR on Oct. 1.

These shootings pose the question of whether or not stricter gun laws will ultimately prevent further tragedies. The American public is still waiting for a decision to be made that will both respect the right to bare arms and serve to protect innocent lives and prevent mass shootings.