Data show U.S. mass shootings continue unabated

The United States saw up to 17 mass shootings by Jan. 15 in the new year, Cuba-based news agency Prensa Latin reported over the weekend.

"Last year, 20,658 people lost their lives in the United States due to firearms incidents and 691 mass shootings were recorded," Prensa Latin cited data from the Gun Violence Archive, a U.S. website that tracks gun incident trends.

Other statistics "revealed that deaths with such devices rose more than 24 percent in 2021 compared to 2019," the news agency added.

For now, "the United States holds the sad world record for possessing more guns than people within its geographic borders," the media outlet said.