The United States has long boasted its commitment to human rights and has been quick to point out what it sees as violations in other parts of the world. But what's happening within its own borders? Do its people enjoy all the rights and freedoms they are promised?

According to U.S.-based human rights watchdog Freedom House, America's democratic institutions have suffered erosion, from flawed immigration policies and a broken health care system to socio-economic inequalities.

Problems in human rights within the U.S. are far more serious than what many have been led to believe.

A deep dive into these issues can help shed some light on the most staggering problems that have not been adequately dealt with by the U.S. government. 

Gun violence, a long-standing problem that's only getting worse, is a case in point.

Many of the incidents scattered throughout the country sound exceptional alarms on the urgent need to reduce gun violence.

On August 3, 2019, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius drove 1,000 kilometers to a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. With a semi-automatic rifle, he randomly fired at crowds, killing 22 people and injuring 24 others. This was the seventh worst mass shooting in U.S. history.

"It was crazy. There's bodies, people running out of the store. There was deceased bodies on the floor. It was horrendous." Jimmy Villatoro, an eyewitness to the El Paso Attack, described the appalling scene. 

"In my opinion, I don't feel safe anymore. It is hard. I have never seen it so close. We live on the borderland." Vox Pop, another eyewitness, remarked. "I am pretty sure I am not the only Latino in the United States that feels scared. I am telling you, it could have been any one of us." 

As tragic as it was, this incident was just the tip of the iceberg.

In 2019 alone, the number of gun-related deaths was 39,427 in the U.S. There were 417 mass shootings that year, averaging more than one a day.

During the first 46 weeks of 2019, 45 school shootings took place, marking a frequency that was about once a week.

Between 2008 and 2017, on average, one person was killed with a gun every 15 minutes.

Americans make up 4 percent of the world's population but own 46 percent of all guns. That means there are 120 guns for every 100 U.S. residents.

The U.S. has as many gun shops as pharmacies. The second-hand gun market is huge and regulations on firearm sales have many loopholes in terms of background checks, age limits and eligibility.  

Why can't the U.S. implement a comprehensive gun-control law?

One reason is the right to bear arms. It was enshrined in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, a major barrier to implementing strict gun laws.

Another reason is the National Rifle Association. It's one of the biggest political forces in Washington DC, with 5 million members, funding politicians and lobbying against gun control.

Faced with one school shooting after another, the NRA says the answer is not fewer guns, but more. Its proposed solution, arming teachers and keeping children away from violent video games.

In the 2016 elections, the NRA spent 54 million dollars supporting Republican candidates. Among the 535 members of Congress, 307, or nearly 60%, were backed by the NRA in their campaigns.  

The comfortable relationship between the NRA and American politicians put a roadblock in front of gun control efforts. When innocent young lives are lost, Washington can offer little more than thoughts and prayers.

With no gun control legislation on the horizon, and no end in sight to gun violence, the newspaper USA Today says America has entered "a new and disturbing era of mass shootings."