Washington, May 22: Twice the number of Americans have died in school shootings this year as compared to the worldwide military campaigns of the United States, reveals the data provided in public domain by the  US government.

A total of 18 personnel of the US armed forces died in combat-related fatalities recorded so far in 2018, claims the U.S. Department of Defense. Of the deaths reported, 7 were caused due to a military chopper crash in Iraq, whereas, 7 were recorded during the clash between US Navy personnel with pirate groups. Four other casualties were registered in Afghanistan.

On the other hand, a total of 36 lives have been lost due to shootings in school between January to May this year.

The latest shootout was reported from Santa Fe, Texas in the past week, when 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis gunned down 11 students in his school.

The most fatal among the shooting incidents was reported in February, when 17 students were killed by their colleague in Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

The fatalities led to widespread protests across the US with parents, as well as civil society groups, demanding stricter gun control laws.

In wake of Friday's shooting incident at Santa Fe, students of several American schools have decided to hold a National Die-In Day demonstration on June 12, to mark their dissent against the Donald Trump regime's inaction on the issue.

The Republican-dominated White House, along with President Donald Trump, are reportedly not in favour of stricter gun laws as it may lead to violation of the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the right to get armed as a fundamental right.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 22, 2018 03:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).