Misconceptions About Mass Shootings in the U.S.

The manner in which the media reports on mass shootings leads the viewers to believe these rare instances are much more common than they are. Additionally, there is a false narrative floating around that more strict gun control legislation and more rigorous screening processes at gun stores would solve the issue. An article published in The Trace today addresses this misreporting. 

The article follows an analysis from the New York Times  indicates that a ban on assault weapons, and more strict gun control would not have prevented most if not any past mass shootings.   As noted in the Trace piece, “[That] gunmen who perpetrated 16 recent mass shootings used a variety of firearms in their attacks, including handguns and assault-style weapons.” According to the article majority of the firearms that were used in these recent mass shootings were purchased legally, through gun shops and the individuals completed the federally-mandated screening process required to obtain the firearms. According to the Times analysis found, “13 of 16 [individuals] purchased their guns in a similar fashion — legally, after undergoing a background check administered by a federally licensed dealer.” If the weapons are being obtained legally and through the proper channels it is unlikely that an even more strict process or ban on assault weapons would decrease mass shootings in the United States. Therefore, as a society if we want to attempt to prevent these mass shootings there are a few elements that should be considered in regard to the perpetrators of these acts of violence. First, in many of the mass shootings it has been discovered that the assailant had exhibited behavioral and or psychological signs of instability and in most cases had a history of violent behavior. The examination of these elements is what could offer answers and a path as to how to prevent further mass shootings. 

Person-on-person violence is not the number one cause for death by firearms in this country. According to Margot Sanger-Katz of the New York Times, “More than 60 percent of people in this country who die from guns die by suicide.” In this article Sanger-Katz puts forth the fact that more deaths due to gunshot wounds are from suicide than homicide or mass shootings. 

The take away here is that although sensationalized in the media, mass shootings are rare, and have far more to do with the mental health of the perpetrator than the type of weapons used.