America Is Running Out of Clowns, Which Is Good News If You Are Terrified of Them

Experts think it's because kids don't want to join the clown profession anymore

Was that horrifying clown that terrorized the Grammys red carpet the last one we'll ever see? According to clown experts (those exist), maybe. Because clowns are going extinct.

If you are one of the millions and millions of people who are scared of clowns, then we will give you a second to celebrate this fact. Here are some GIFs to help you along:

Gotcha! That last clown will straight-up murder your ass.

Anyway, the New York Daily News has an exclusive story about how membership for the Clowns of America International organization has been plummeting steadily since people realized that clowns are scary as hell and not at all pleasurable. Or officially, since 2006. The older clowns are dying, and no one is signing up to take their place. It's the circle of life. But with clowns. The circle of clowns, if you will.

According to Glen Kohlberger, the president of Clowns of America International, the simple fact of the matter is that kids today want to do other things besides dress up in baggy pants for entertainment. Except for this kid, who loves to put on baggy pants and stupid outfits in order to entertain the masses.

So what other things do kids want to do besides becoming a professional clown? College and crap.

"What happens is they go on to high school and college and clowning isn't cool anymore. Clowning is then put on the back burner until their late 40s and early 50s," Kohlberger said. "American kids these days are thinking about different careers altogether. They're thinking about everything other than clowning."

If becoming a clown isn't a smart career move, then we don't know what is.

But it's time to face the cold, hard facts: Clowns are dying out. So if you are a fan of clowns, take this time to appreciate what will soon be lost forever:

Ah! There he is again! Kill it kill it kill it!

By the way, we wanted to include more silly and funny clown GIFs, but guess what? We couldn't find any more than what you see above! That's the closest thing we could find to clown GIFs that weren't nightmarish hellscapes from which there is no escape. There is nothing but scary clown GIFs out there! Good riddance you awful creatures!

So if you see a clown walking around your neighborhood and you don't have a fear of them, please take a moment to savor its beauty, because that might be the last clown you'll ever see. Just be careful the clown you are looking at is a friendly, normal clown and not this guy.

In summary: R.I.P., clowns.