For many, the Independence Day weekend was supposed to be a joyous opportunity, but for many, but it turned to disaster with 150 killed and 400 injured by gun violence. 

This comes at a time when major American cities are witnessing a rise in violent crimes, according to the data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive.

In New York, gun violence has risen to levels not seen in years, with 26 people killed in the state alone in 21 shootings between Friday and Sunday.

On July 4, Independence Day, New York City witnessed 12 shootings, killing 13 people, an increase of eight shootings and eight victims compared to last year, according to the city's police.

In Chicago, even though the city's Chief of Police warned of the shootings and said that shootings during the Independence Day holiday were a major challenge, mass crimes still occurred in the city.

Fox News reported that in Chicago 83 people were shot, 14 of whom were killed, and among the wounded were two girls aged five and six. 

Chicago shootings were down only about two percent compared to this period last year.

In Fort Worth, Texas, eight people were shot near a car wash after an argument between a group of men.

During the altercation, one of the men left the area before returning with a rifle, after which he fired on the others causing injuries.

In the city of Atlanta, the capital of the state of Georgia, about 50 teenagers got involved in a big fight, which led to the death of at least one person.

Many people attribute the violence in the United States to the ease of possession of firearms, which is enshrined in the US Constitution.