Effects Of Mass Shootings

According to Political Fact, “there have been 273 mass shooting in 2017- one for each day of the year (Pelosi).” In the past the government has used a strict definition to define a mass murder which states that at least four victims must be killed. Many factors play different roles in committing a terror attack or mass shooting such as biological, psychological, and social influences.

From this quote, it is clear that, despite worldwide news coverage, mass school shootings or what may be described as rampage shootings, are actually rare events. They only make up a small proportion of the thousands of gun deaths per year in America as a whole.

Individuals who are affiliated with gangs commit crimes such as homicide consistently. Gangs target areas where people are not unified and would be less likely to contact authorities if violence broke out. Drive by shootings occur so often that Detective Dale Wallis says “they [gangs] do not care who’s going to get shot” (qtd. in Minty 1). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did a report to determine the top five United States cities to have high levels of gang homicide. Those five cities were Los Angeles, California; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Long Beach, California; Oakland, California, and Newark, New Jersey. The study

A major concern in the United States is why mass shootings occur and what needs to be done to stop them from happening. Mass shootings have gained a significant amount of attention in 2015. Within the year, a total of 372 mass shootings have occurred in the United States killing 475 people and wounding 1,870. Mass shootings have become a popular trend within the media and have given the impression that it is the new normal. Mass shootings are a dysfunction to society, due to the fact that they create horror and tragedy within the country. Schools, shopping malls, and even movie theatres have all endured the horrific violence. Mass shootings are nothing new, however, they seem to be occurring more often and are becoming more and more violent. The three leading factors to mass shootings are problematic masculinity, mental illness, and gun control.

The biggest impact mass shootings and suicides are on the victims. This can range from physical assault to emotional distress. In the cases of mass shootings, the victims can be identified as the people that were either shot or indirectly harmed through the shooting. In columbine, there were 13 total deaths consisting of 12 students and one teacher. In addition to the deaths, 24 others were wounded with a range of injuries (Library, 2017). Some victims endured a few cuts and bruises from the chaos and others became paralyzed from the gun-shot wounds and are now living life with limitations. One victim was shot three times, two in the back and one in the arm. She suffered nerve damage from the shots in the back and an excruciating painful recovery from the bullet in the arm (Library, 2017). Unfortunately, she was unable to recover nerve damage which paralyzed her from waist down. Another victim was shot twice in the head and suffered traumatic brain injury as he tried to escape out the school window (Library, 2017). These stories were only two of the 24 victims from one incident. Similar stories exist from other mass shootings that display the tragic effects in has on the victims.

Has the deinstitutionalization of the mentally ill led to the increase of mass shootings experienced in the US? According to Lankford, several reports suggest that up to 60% of offenders of mass shootings in the US since 1970, exhibited symptoms including depression, delusions, and acute paranoia prior to the commission of their crimes. Further statistics have shown that since 1982, there have been at least 71 public mass shooting across the country; with 34 of these mass shooting having occurred since 2006. A recent analysis of the database by researchers at Harvard University corroborated by a recent FBI study concluded that mass shootings have been on the rise. More than half of the cases involve school or workplace shootings, 12 and 20

A major topic being discussed in gun control today has to do with how mental illness factors into these shootings and what should be done pertaining to mental health gun restrictions.

I've become desensitized and have little reaction to broadcasts about mass shootings, as I have become desensitized about other types of intentional harm and injury to another human being... because of the type of service I provide. I may not have strong emotional reactions anymore to the shootings. Still, can't wrap my mind around how easy it is to take away someone's right to live and breath.

Mass shootings in the U.S and even the world are becoming more and more common every year and all but two of the shooting

Mass shootings have become a disturbing issue that seems to be on the rise around the world, and no one can predict when one may occur. The FBI defines mass shootings as the killing of four or more victims. There have been a total of 274 days so far this year with a terrifying amount of 294 mass shootings (Ingraham, 2015). Mass shootings cannot be solved, but they can be prevented. This can be done by enacting policies or programs to take better care of people suffering from mental health issues, enacting better gun control laws, and by not allowing violence in entertainment such as video games.

There is no question that mass shootings are happening more frequently. The question is are they happening to often? They have become more common, but have always been a problem in the world. Shootings have been happening since the invention of guns, but as we come closer to our era mass shootings have been happening more regularly. These shootings need to be stopped and put an end to. But how can we as a whole all come together and put an end to it? The statistics and facts that are going to be used give valid reasons to where the shootings take place, how it happens and the number of casualties and lives taken from these shootings.

America is currently experiencing a frightening crisis of internal terrorism. In 2015 alone, there have been nearly 13000 deaths in America due to gun violence. Mass shootings have become regular occurrences on the news channels. After every single mass shooting, politicians, celebrities and regular people all over the country express their uttermost grief and regret for the lost victims. Consistently, there is a subsequent call for more gun control. In some cases, new bills may be proposed. It has become a routine of some sort. However, these efforts have amounted to a negligible amount of progress. Even with all the outrage and mourning from the public after each mass shooting, nothing seems to change. The initial passion and vigor regarding

When a person decides to commit suicide, it is at times seen to be very selfish and cowardly. It is considered the easy way out. Whether it is running from punishment, leaving loved ones behind, or tearing a family apart, suicide is not the answer.

“The Monitor studied two online databases – Mass Shooting Tracker and the Gun Violence Archive – that employ perhaps the broadest popular definition of "mass shootings": incidents that leave four or more people dead or wounded (Mendoza & Gass).” While majority of the 372 shootings do effect less than ten people, severe cases can go far beyond that number. Some of the deadliest and most well heard of shootings in America would be the San Bernardino, CA shooting (2015), the Sandy Hook school shooting (2012), and the Orlando, FL shooting (2016) which injured or killed over one hundred people. These attacks are taking place everywhere, disability centers, schools, and your everyday social events. This puts everyone at risk of the potential for a mass shooting.

In 2010 there were 11,078 firearm related homicides in America. My belief is that only the police should be allowed to purchase and use firearms. I think that this will help to reduce the rate of murders caused by firearms in the USA and potentially lower the murder rate overall. An outright ban on firearms (with the exception of the police) would lower a number of mass shootings and stop criminals from obtaining guns through burglaries. There are other countries that already have stricter laws on the purchase and use of firearms. These countries have much lower homicide rates than America.