thesis statement for mass shootings

Mass Shooting - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

A mass shooting refers to an incident involving multiple victims of firearms violence. Essays could explore the sociopolitical factors contributing to mass shootings, the impact on communities, gun control legislation, or comparisons of gun violence between countries. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Mass Shooting you can find in Papersowl database. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Mass Shooting Took Place in the Squirrel Hill

On the morning of October 27th, 2018, a mass shooting took place in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The gunman, 46-year-old Robert Bowers, murdered 11 individuals and wounded six at the Tree of Life Synagogue. While his initial target was the Jewish community, or in that moment, the Jewish attendees of the Tree of Life Synagogue, his eventual shootout with the police resulted in six wounded. Ultimately, of the six injured individuals, two were police officers and two […]

Stricter U.S. Gun Control: Safety Vs. Rights

Gun control means control. It means control for the government and the government starts controlling people says Luke Scott. Guns have become so problematic in the United States and as the year goes by and it is so devastating to hear news about schools, grocery stores and many more places that were involved in a gun-related events. One of the few ways to help improve the problem is that the government should do a psychological screening before purchasing guns to […]

Does Gun Control Reduce Crime?

Will Gun control help in reducing crimes? There are the people who think that having gun control will not help in stopping crimes, they believe gun control does not deter crime; gun ownership deters crime. They believe having gun control will infringe upon the right to self-defense. Then there are people who support the idea of having gun control because they believe having gun control can help reduce crime, and they think there are many cases were guns are stolen […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Gun Control in America

Throughout American history, the debate on gun control has divided the nation. Gun control is a difficult subject to discuss. There is so much controversy over guns that it can become difficult to analyze the subject, through an objective lens. Americans today own more guns than ever recorded. The firearm industry has grown tremendously and is estimated to be a thirty billion dollar industry, which is contributing to the countries economy (Hindman, Nate C.). While mass shootings are on the […]

Gun Control is Oppression

The discussion on weapon control and the importance and ramifications of the second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is questionable and inciting. Ik-Whan G. Kwon expressed in their examination that there are at present 20,000 laws and directions in the U.S. that endeavor to contain the utilization of guns however sadly this has not meant a decrease in firearm viciousness. In 1992, passings from weapon brutality nearly contacted 40,000 individuals. Singh expressed in his investigation that open weight for weapon […]

Negative Consequences of Second Amendment

In late pasts guns were the only means of survival. The gun was what kept the home front safe from unwanted intruders from invading your land. It was also used to hunt for food to be put on the dinner table. However, today guns, as of late, are being used in the mass killings of innocent lives. Many of those who are caught in the crosshairs of a mass shooters were children and young adults. No amount of blood and […]

Domestic Terrorism in the Land of the Free

Abstract Banks (2017) defined terrorism as "a systematic use of coerce intimidationit is used to create and explicit fear among a wider target group and to publicize a cause, as well as to coerce a target to acceding to the terrorists' claims (p. 286-287). Terrorism has been a tactic used since the twentieth century. The attack of September 11, 2001, on the North American soil was considered a terroristic attack from foreign enemies. There have been recent terror attacks including […]

Gun Violence in Parkland Florida

There are over thirty thousand deaths a year in the United States related to gun violence with Americans using guns for defensive purposes as many as a million times every year. These deaths are a result of suicides, homicides and accidents. It is evident that gun violence and gun control are issues of serious national importance and are worth debating. The main issues and arguments found in the debate over gun control in the United States have not changed a […]

Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System

The second main theme that is in the research focuses on mental illness and mass shootings. Extensive studies have been done on individuals who were bullied and how it impacted their mental capability (Kyle, 2017; Schafer, 2017; Burruss, 2017; Giblin, 2017 and Schildkraut, 2014). Most researchers realized that children that were bullied at some point in their life had a higher chance of developing a mental disorder that later required immediate attention as a grown-up, in comparison to a child […]

Columbine: a Notorious Chapter but not the First in School Shootings

The Columbine High School massacre of April 20, 1999, remains one of the most infamous school shootings in American history. The event, which left 13 people dead and more than 20 wounded, shocked the nation and the world. It forever changed how schools address security and emergency preparedness. However, contrary to what some may believe, Columbine was not the first instance of a school shooting in the United States. The history of school shootings in America is longer and more […]

Reflecting on the Shadows of April 16, 2007: the Virginia Tech Mass Shooting

On a seemingly ordinary spring morning, the Virginia Tech community and the wider world were jolted by a tragedy that would leave an indelible mark on the fabric of American history. April 16, 2007, unfolded as one of the darkest days in the annals of American education, as a lone gunman embarked on a rampage that claimed the lives of 32 individuals and wounded many more. This event, often simply referred to as the Virginia Tech Massacre, not only evoked […]

The Shadowed Epoch: a Distorted Chronicle of Mass Shootings

In the annals of human history, there exists a dark tapestry woven with the threads of violence, tragedy, and societal upheaval. One particular strand, gruesomely prominent in recent decades, is the phenomenon of mass shootings. This sinister aspect of our contemporary existence demands a meticulous examination beyond the conventional lens, venturing into the recesses of collective consciousness and societal intricacies. Peering through the fractured glass of time, it becomes apparent that mass shootings are not a mere product of the […]

Unraveling the Threads: Exploring Conspiracy Theories Surrounding the Mandalay Bay Shooting

The Mandalay Bay shooting in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017, stands as a tragic chapter in American history, leaving 58 people dead and hundreds injured. In the aftermath of this horrific event, conspiracy theories have woven a complex web of speculation and doubt around the official narrative. While it is crucial to approach such theories with skepticism, understanding them offers insight into the dynamics of public perception and the quest for alternative explanations. One prevalent conspiracy theory suggests the […]

The Virginia Tech Mass Shooting: Tragedy, Response, and Legacy

April 16, 2007, remains etched in the collective memory of the United States as one of its most tragic days, marking the Virginia Tech shooting, the deadliest school shooting in the country's history. This essay explores the events of that fateful day, the aftermath, and the lasting impact it has had on campus safety, gun control debates, and mental health awareness. On that spring morning, Seung-Hui Cho, a senior at Virginia Tech, embarked on a shooting rampage that claimed the […]

Additional Example Essays

• Crime and the Why
• Does the Death Penalty Effectively Deter Crime?
• Ted Bundy Research Paper
• War On Drugs and Mass Incarceration
• Event that sparked Personal Growth
• Omar Portee: From Gang Origins to Reflections on Society
• Oedipus is a Tragic Hero
• Medieval Romance "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight"
• Analysis of Letter from Birmingham Jail
• Personal Narrative: My Family Genogram
• The Road not Taken Poem Analysis
• The Importance of Professional Bearing in the Military

1. Tell Us Your Requirements

2. Pick your perfect writer

3. Get Your Paper and Pay

Hi! I'm Amy, your personal assistant!

Don't know where to start? Give me your paper requirements and I connect you to an academic expert.

short deadlines

100% Plagiarism-Free

Certified writers

An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock A locked padlock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Advancing Mass Shooting Research To Inform Practice

Few events in American life evoke stronger reactions across society than mass shootings. They are part of the broader phenomenon of mass violence that includes, for example, terrorist attacks and war-related events. But mass shootings are distinguishable from those categories of mass violence in that their underlying motive sometimes appears to be unknown. Typically, mass shootings occur in a public place, with a single shooter, and most victims are killed or wounded indiscriminately. [1]

Because mass shootings have a severe impact on victims and society, they are a national criminal justice priority. As the frequency of mass shootings has increased in recent years, law enforcement and researchers have intensified their efforts to understand and prevent this form of firearms violence. [2] But their efforts are being held back by two systemic deficiencies: (1) the absence of a uniform definition of mass shootings and related concepts and (2) the absence of consistent databases that gather, sort, and share essential facts on attempted and completed mass shooting incidents.

In an effort to improve understanding of mass shootings, NIJ science staff carried out a systematic literature review to identify the current state of knowledge suitable for use in preventing these incidents. They uncovered apparent inconsistencies in researchers’ definitions of mass shooting incidents. Moreover, they found that the analyses supporting the definitions often rely on open-source data that are unreliable, inconsistent, or both. [3] These inconsistencies may lead to mixed — or even contradictory — findings, suggesting a need to align data and definitions in a more unified, coherent approach.

NIJ also convened leading researchers and law enforcement practitioners to gain additional insight into the challenges surrounding mass shooting studies and prevention strategies. The experts offered recommendations on how the field should move forward to advance both the research on and the prevention of mass shootings. All of these insights will help guide NIJ’s leadership of mass shooting research and data management going forward, as key elements of its larger role in directing scientific investment to address violent crime and inform prevention efforts.

Inconsistencies in Definitions

To better understand the state of knowledge and identify gaps in research on mass shootings, NIJ science staff systematically reviewed the literature from 1997 through 2016. [4] Their analysis encompassed 44 research studies on mass shootings. Results revealed both consistencies and inconsistencies in the literature. Collectively, studies have yielded a number of high-utility insights on shooter characteristics, choice of targets, weapons, and other variables. Generally, however, the scholarship has been hampered by a lack of agreement on definitions of critical terms, such as “mass shootings” and “mass murders,” and by the absence of consistent sources of data on mass shootings.

The literature does not define “mass shooting” consistently, or even in similar contexts. The federal criminal code lacks a distinct mass shooting offense; this may help explain why researchers use different terminology, or types of criminal offense, in their analyses of the same phenomenon. [5]

Among the 44 studies analyzed, the most common definition of a mass shooting is an incident in which four or more victims are killed with a firearm in a public place (48%). Several studies defined the offense as an event during which as few as two (5%) or three (9%) victims are killed, whereas more than one-third of the studies more broadly defined the term as an incident in which multiple victims are killed (38%). Others either defined a mass shooting incident as having a minimum of five victims or did not specify a victim threshold.

The definitions in the analyzed studies include incidents that take place in publicly accessible spaces such as schools, workplaces, places of worship, and businesses. The incidents are also defined as a single, continuous event within a short time frame, but the specific time frame can vary. The definitions often exclude ideologically motivated terrorist acts as well as gang, drug, and other shooting incidents that resulted primarily from the commission of other crimes, such as aggravated robbery, familicides, and domestic violence. Some of these studies, however, do not specify whether certain types of offenses were excluded from the definition.

This lack of consistency in defining mass shooting events is reflected in contradictory findings across a number of studies. The differences noted appear to contribute to varying conclusions about individuals’ average age, motives, personality, suicidality, and target selection (i.e., victim, or victims, and place). Other notable differences in findings relate to the choice of firearms as well as the possible influence of news media coverage on mass shooting events and those who commit them. Importantly, wide variability in mass shooting definitions — in terms of the requisite minimum numbers of individuals shot and killed — casts serious doubt over the field’s ability to accurately capture all of the cases and analyze trends.

Limited Access to Consistent Databases

Compounding the problem is the lack of uniform, reliable data sources. The literature reviewed used 10 types of data sources, and the majority of the studies used more than one type of data source. Of the 122 distinct data sources used in the 44 studies, 65% came from secondary, open-source data. Open-source data refers to publicly available and accessible information such as databases, news and media accounts, or other widely available sources. Thirty-three percent came from official records that are publicly accessible for the most part, and 2% came from interviews ( see exhibit 1 ).

It is evident that there is no single, primary source of data used across the research on mass shootings. Some of the official records, such as the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, Supplementary Homicide Reports, and National Incident-Based Reporting System, are often based on case files developed for the purposes of investigation and prosecution. Many times, however, they lack information on a wide range of variables that could advance prevention research. Such limitations often lead researchers to supplement the data with information from open sources or to rely solely on secondary data. Moreover, even if those standard, official reports were factually rich and complete, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to address many of the questions that are relevant to informing practices around preventing mass violence. For example, they generally do not include data on what the shooter did to prepare for the shooting, whether the shooter expressed some form of grievance, or whether the shooter had a history of mental health issues or had experienced a recent loss.

The factual limitations of official reports complicate the task of assessing the reliability of sources, raising questions such as how each data source defines the phenomenon, what specific information the source provides, and — in the case of databases — what the time frame is for including events. As with inconsistencies in the definition of mass shootings in terms of the number of victims killed, the use of different data sources obfuscates trends and the impact of policies. This is not to say that no study has produced valuable results and recommendations. But without a thorough analysis of the research design by a trained eye, the end users of research, such as policymakers and practitioners, may arrive at conclusions that are erroneous and that may produce more harm than good.

There are a number of ongoing efforts by researchers and the federal government to build or enhance mass shooting databases. However, the research community must identify the challenges in this line of research and determine a set of characteristics that would make any given mass shooting database more reliable and useful in informing prevention.

Heeding the Experts

In the latter half of 2018, NIJ held directed discussions with subject matter expert groups of law enforcement officials and scholars as part of its initiative to assess existing mass shooting research and gauge its shortcomings. Insights gained at those sessions can inform and refine research going forward.

The primary objectives were to:

• Assess the need for uniform definitions in mass shooting data collection and analysis.
• Discuss the benefits of establishing data collection techniques to consistently catalog all of the pertinent mass shooting information.

Law enforcement discussants (practitioners) were current and former members of federal and local law enforcement agencies. Researcher discussants (researchers) were a multidisciplinary collection of scientists from several U.S. universities.

Points of Broad Agreement

The practitioners and researchers agreed on certain discrete research and practice needs. For example, they reached general agreement that a universal definition of mass shootings would not solve all ambiguity problems but would be an important first step. A common definition of mass shooting should be broad but not tied to any fixed minimum number of victims (for instance, a rule that a mass shooting means the killing, by firearm, of four or more people). Some samples of relevant comments by discussants include:

• Researcher: “The number of people killed can be happenstance. … If you focus too much on [a] happenstance outcome, things might get lost. It seems arbitrary to say three or four or five victims minimum. That seems to be missing the big picture.”
• Practitioner: “That number [four] seems arbitrary. It should have less to do with efficiency, [that is, the] number of people in the room, etc., than the intent of the offender.”
• Practitioner: “You have to include nonfatal injuries. They all intend to kill, but if they are a poor shooter, you still have the same dynamics and personality — they just didn’t know how to operate the weapon.”

They also agreed that a mass shooting event is an incident where there is an evident premeditated intent to shoot to kill, regardless of the number of actual fatalities or injuries.

• Researcher: “But with the definition, I think we can discern that what we’re trying to get at is this event with this person who had the intent to kill large numbers of people.”
• Practitioner: “I think numbers are arbitrary and don’t matter. If the intent was to kill a bunch of people, it doesn’t matter. It would be counterproductive for prevention to exclude them.”
• Practitioner: “So, we get to the intent of the individual when they came to the incident. If they did [intend harm to a lot of people], it’s in; if not, it’s out. The reality is that if you include cases with only two or more victims, the offender in those cases might have been trying to kill more but didn’t.”

Points of Difference

On other issues, there was notable divergence between the practitioners and researchers. For one, practitioners tended to favor reliance on data and data sources that are objective and verifiable, whereas researchers tended to be more receptive to open sources as well as more subjective data related to, for instance, health factors. Key examples of where practitioners and researchers diverged include desired data sources for mass shootings and the time range for including an incident.

It is important to note that different data sources are designed for different purposes. Official data sources are often developed for investigations and prosecutions. Such sources have high value for answering some investigative questions, but may not be at all responsive to others. Official sources tend to focus on proximal factors related to the crime (e.g., time, place, manner, demographics, and other information that describes the criminal act and the individual committing it). On the other hand, media accounts (an example of an open source) are more likely to trace back further in time and look more broadly at other possible factors that influenced the individual committing the crime. That is, they may include information that is absent from official sources but is valuable for prevention purposes. At the same time, compared with official records, media sources may be more influenced by subjective judgments and errors.

Researchers tended to support a research approach that includes open-source data, such as media accounts. Several researchers said that because of a lack of access to official records and sensitive data, they often relied on open sources to fill the gaps and triangulate data. It should be noted that, if given the choice, these researchers said they would prefer to use official data sources. But they also see the value of triangulating information from multiple types of data sources for research purposes.

Practitioners tended to be strongly opposed to an open-source approach and to reliance on media accounts. Several practitioners said that in their view, media accounts are largely unreliable as primary data sources on mass shootings.

The sharp divergence in views between researchers and practitioners on data source preferences may reflect the distinct nature of their respective professions. Practitioners in the law enforcement field are accustomed to using official data, and their interest in determining accountability and culpability for criminal acts is often best served by data attributable to official sources. Researchers tend to seek answers to a broader range of questions, calling for broader data sources.

Some researchers and a local-level practitioner said they valued the collection of retrospective data (e.g., from the preceding 50 years) on qualifying incidents that were not sourced from media reports. They also emphasized the importance of collecting the same kind of data prospectively. Some practitioners, on the other hand, recommended a focus on data from 2000 forward, given the limited access to information prior to the implementation of internet technology.

Recommendations for Future Research

A primary purpose of the expert discussion groups convened by NIJ was to produce guidance on developing further mass shooting studies to improve prevention. Researcher and law enforcement participants voiced support for a series of recommendations:

• Partner with law enforcement agencies (both local and federal) and associations to better access official data on mass shootings through sources that include interviews with incarcerated persons, police investigations, and mining of information on multiple-victim shooting incidents that were not covered in any depth by the media.
• Examine data on averted attacks.
• Compare mass shootings with other forms of mass violence.
• Help identify and debunk misconceptions with scientific evidence (e.g., weapon choice, mental health, motivation, planning and preparation).
• Estimate costs of mass shootings and victim impacts over time.
• Develop guidelines and resources for identifying and managing people of concern.
• Create an analytical model to enable practitioners to engage in predictive analysis of mass shootings. The model would be based on the time (including date), place, and modus operandi of studied mass shooting events.
• Create models for information exchange among local and federal stakeholders.

Moving Forward

NIJ’s analysis of mass shooting literature and its structured engagement of experts point to the advisability of certain major action items for mass shooting research and law enforcement practice. First, there appears to be broad sentiment in favor of moving away from a number-based system of rigidly defining mass shootings and related phenomena, and toward defining mass shootings more flexibly. An incident should not be entirely omitted from a mass shooting data set where, for example, a shooter with evident intent to kill multiple persons opens fire in a park where 10 individuals are present, with several resulting gunfire injuries but three or fewer fatalities.

Law enforcement should have a more active role in the study of mass shootings and in translating research to practice — for example, developing detection methods and tips and educating and training bystanders, school counselors, and others. Beyond an expanded research role, law enforcement officers will remain the last, crucial barrier between prospective shooters and their intended victims. Law enforcement must enhance its capability to detect and intercept mass shooters, and educate members of the public to detect and report any warning signs of prospective shooters in their communities, if the threat to society is to be reduced.

Criteria should be developed to facilitate adopting uniform definitions and data characteristics across all databases. NIJ recognizes that uniform, consistent cataloging of past mass shootings designed to support future data entry is an essential first step in advancing research and prevention efforts. Additionally, NIJ hopes to glean insights from analogous fields that study rare incidents (e.g., terrorism) to replicate and improve on established data collection methods and sustainability.

Preparedness for mass shootings — deeply traumatizing social phenomena as elusive as they are disruptive — will require an increasingly focused and coordinated effort by the research and practice communities as we move forward.

For More Information

Learn more about NIJ research awards on mass shootings .

About This Article

This article appears in  NIJ Journal issue 282.

[note 1] William J. Krouse and Daniel J. Richardson, “Mass Murder with Firearms: Incidents and Victims, 1999-2013,” Congressional Research Service , July 30, 2015.

[note 2] J. Pete Blair and Katherine W. Schweit, A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013 , Washington, DC: Texas State University and Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2014; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2016 and 2017 , Washington, DC: Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center at Texas State University and Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2018; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2018 , Washington, DC: ALERRT Center at Texas State University and Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2019; and Katherine W. Schweit, Active Shooter Incidents in the United States in 2014 and 2015 , Washington, DC: Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2016.

[note 3] Lin Huff-Corzine et al., “Shooting for Accuracy: Comparing Data Sources on Mass Murder,” Homicide Studies 18 no. 1 (2014): 105-124, doi:10.1177/1088767913512205.

[note 4] A synthesis of the literature published through 2016 was completed in preparation for the topical meetings with experts described in this article. Before this article was published, NIJ science staff reviewed subsequent mass shooting studies published from 2017 through July 2019 and found no discrepancies with previous research with respect to the definitional and database-related issues.

[note 5] On January 14, 2013, the 112th Congress amended the Investigative Assistance for Violent Crimes Act of 2012 (PL 112-265) to define the term “mass killings” as three or more killings in a single incident, and the term “place of public use” as it is defined under Section 2332f(e)(6) of Title 18, United States Code. The act does not specify the weapon used, nor does it account for injured victims.

About the author

Basia E. Lopez is an NIJ social science analyst. Danielle M. Crimmins is a graduate research assistant at NIJ. Paul A. Haskins is a social science writer and contractor with Leidos.

Cite this Article

Read more about:, related publications.

• NIJ Journal Issue No. 282

Home — Essay Samples — Social Issues — Gun Control — Research Paper For Gun Control To Solve The Problem Of Mass Shootings In The United States

Research Paper for Gun Control to Solve The Problem of Mass Shootings in The United States

• Categories: Criminal Behavior Gun Control

About this sample

Words: 1542 |

Published: Mar 18, 2021

Words: 1542 | Pages: 3 | 8 min read

Table of contents

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr. Karlyna PhD

Verified writer

• Expert in: Law, Crime & Punishment Social Issues

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

1 pages / 619 words

1 pages / 499 words

6 pages / 2615 words

3 pages / 1531 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Gun Control

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is a hotly debated and controversial topic that has been the subject of intense scrutiny and discussion for many years. The Second Amendment, which was adopted on December [...]

In today's society, the issue of gun control has become an increasingly contentious topic. With a plethora of opinions and perspectives, it is crucial to approach this subject with careful analysis and a systematic presentation [...]

One of the key attributes of any hero is their dedication to a noble cause. The Lorax embodies this commitment through his unwavering efforts to protect the Truffula Trees and the surrounding ecosystem from the greedy Once-ler. [...]

Gun control has been a hotly debated topic in today's society, with proponents arguing for stricter regulations to reduce gun violence, while opponents advocate for the protection of Second Amendment rights. In this essay, I [...]

Homicide has been categorized among the leading non-medical causes of death in the United States. Each day, an average of thirteen kids ranging from the age of ten to nineteen years gets killed by gunfire, while the highest [...]

Legal advocacy has a profound impact on gun control legislation in the United States. By employing strategies such as litigation and lobbying, advocacy groups have successfully influenced the discourse surrounding firearms [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

School Shooting and Firearms in the United States Essay

Introduction, causes of the problem, the impact of school shootings on the education system, the effects of mass media coverage on the prevalence of school shootings, legislations in response to school shootings, works cited.

In the context of the events that happened in the past two or three decades (such as the tragedy in Columbine), it is possible to state with certainty that school shootings appear to be one of the most prevalent and worrying social problems in the contemporary United States. Statistically, there is a gradual increase in the number of students killed in such mass shootings (see Fig. 1). One of the most recent school shootings that occurred on February 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida is mentioned by Katsiyannis et al. as the “deadliest U.S. school shooting to date,” and also the authors argue that it “serves as a powerful reminder that school violence is ever-present” (2562). The situation requires not only an immediate response but also long-term continuous work towards the improvement of the current situation is urgently needed. It is possible to state that school shootings in the United States are a highly complex social problem that impacts various spheres of social, political, and economic life in the country.

School shootings represent a highly important moral concern for the whole population of America. Such events, as they have occurred more frequently in the last decade, create an atmosphere of terror and uncertainty (Beland and Kim 113). It affects the educational system to a considerable degree (Beland and Kim 113). Another highly significant aspect of the problem is the involvement of mass media in the creation of such an atmosphere. However, the most evident reason for the prevalence of mass school shootings is the current firearm law, which provides the access to weapons to nearly everyone who has an intent to obtain it. The thesis statement of this argumentative essay could be formulated as follows: school shootings, as they are one of the most significant social problems in America in recent years, are subject to a profound discussion about the important aspects of this phenomenon to develop perspectives on possible solutions for the improvement of the issue.

First of all, it is essential to observe the causes of the problem to put further reasoning in the proper context. As it is evident from the brief overview of the situation given in the introduction, the issue under consideration has numerous underlying reasons, which often influence each other reciprocally (Katsiyannis et al. 2562). For example, Fox and DeLateur mentioned in their article that politicians, pundits, and professors of various disciplines had been promoting various proposals for change even before the Newtown’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which was considered to be “the final death toll” by the authors (126). Some of these stakeholders “talked about the role of guns, others about access to mental health services, and still more about the need for enhanced security in schools and other public places” (Fox and DeLateur 126). However, from a large-scale perspective, the most apparent problem is the availability of firearms caused by the current legislation.

Another highly important factor that influences the continuous occurrence of school shootings is the impact of mass media. It is possible to notice that, in the contemporary society, mass media, including television, newspapers, radio as well as the Internet and social media platforms, plays an immensely important role by providing the population with various information. It could be further suggested that mass media is capable of promoting ideas and behaviors. Since people are often not able to access the information about events, which are covered by various media platforms, they have to believe what is shown to them. Therefore, the media coverage of such events as school shootings, although it does not intend to praise or promote gun violence among teenagers and young people, could influence the promotion of mass shooting ideas indirectly. This factor will be later discussed in the separate section since it requires a profound examination.

It is also highly apparent that school shootings have a considerably negative impact on the contemporary education system. As was stated previously, school shootings have tended to happen more often in the past decade than it was in the 90s, and thus the atmosphere of terror, disbelief, and paranoia was established. It could be suggested that school students suffer the most from the occurrence of such events. People who were directly involved in school shootings as victims and survived this tragedy are traumatized significantly by this experience. The impact of such psychological, as well as physical, traumas could hardly be underestimated as it negatively influences nearly every sphere of the individual’s life. Accordingly, it is logical to assume that the student’s academic performance will be considerably aggravated by the traumatizing experience. Even though they were not directly traumatized by school shootings, people who were involved in such events could also be negatively affected, as they will fear for their lives or expect one of their classmates to be the next shooter. Therefore, this factor needs an additional investigation in the separate section.

The third factor that should be mentioned in the context of this discussion is the prevalence of mental illnesses and the current state of the United States healthcare system at large. One of the most significant problems in this area of concern is that mental disorders are largely stigmatized by society, especially among the children of school age (Metzl and MacLeish 240). People could be excluded from socializing based on their mental state. It could also be problematic for a teenager to access proper treatment for his or her mental illness, or an individual could consider his or her condition as something that does not need any medical or psychological treatment. Moreover, it is apparent from numerous cases that the majority of people involved in school shootings as shooters have troubles in the sphere of mental health at least to some extent (Metzl and MacLeish 240).

The correlation between the mental state of a person and the probability of him or her being involved in crimes is well-recognized and studied in contemporary academic literature. For example, Metzl and MacLeish assume that psychiatric diagnosis can predict gun crime, and also that school shootings “represent the deranged acts of mentally ill loners” (240). Also, Fox and Fridel mention the following typical characteristics of a mass shooter, which are often disregarded by the society and only come into focus with hindsight: “depression, resentment, social isolation, externalization of blame, fascination with weapons and violent entertainment, and even verbal or written expressions of hate or malice” (14). Therefore, it is essential to notice that people with mental illnesses, even though they should not be automatically considered as potential school shooters, are to be treated with special attention. In the majority of cases, people try to seek help to cope with the stress factors of their life which they do not know how to deal with alone.

At this point, it is evident that the mentioned factor could hardly be adequately estimated, evaluated, and analyzed separately. It is essential to perceive the causes of school shootings as a highly complex set of interdependent reasons that influence each other reciprocally. Therefore, the following sections will attempt to dwell upon the discussion of more particular aspects of the mentioned domains of the overall problem under consideration. Legislations in response to school shootings will be observed in the last part of this essay as they appear to be the key approach to a more stable and adequate situation. Therefore, it is essential to first observe the existing legislative acts, and then to propose possible solutions and improvement for the current situation to develop a comprehensive conclusion.

As was suggested previously, school shootings could have a vast impact on the academic performance of students and other school-related measures. The study by Beland and Kim is focused on this particular topic, as the authors argue that “the educational consequences of deadly school shootings on enrollment and student performance are not well known” even though this phenomenon is largely covered in media (113). The authors investigate a wide range of aspects that are affected by the occurrence of such events. Among these factors, it is possible to mention the following: enrollment patterns, negative changes in test scores in the subsequent year, as well as behavioral variables such as graduation, attendance, and suspension rates (Beland and Kim 113).

As a result of their study, the authors came to conclusions that are considerably similar to the previously developed premises about the impact of school shootings on the educational system. In general, the authors state that students are directly affected by shootings (Beland and Kim 124). In particular, it is possible to state that math and English standardized test results show a considerable decline after a shooting occurs at a school (Beland and Kim 123). Therefore, the previously formulated assumption about the traumatizing experience that negatively affects the students’ academic performance is true. Also, enrollment patterns change. In schools, which experienced a homicidal mass shooting, the number of people who enroll in Grade 9 drops considerably (Beland and Kim 123). However, the authors did find out that such events have no significant influence on such measures as suspension, graduation, or average daily attendance rates. In general, it is possible to observe that the magnitude of the problem of school shootings is immense.

In this section, the discussion is largely based on the phenomenon of mass media in the context of its vast impact on the prevalence and, indirectly, the promotion of mass school shootings. Regarding the issue of interest from a broader perspective, it is appropriate to observe that each school shooting is a tragedy, which repeatedly devastates communities and shakes public opinions (Garcia-Bernardo et al. 1). It is also apparent that such events are largely driven by personal intents and motivations, and also rarely there are apparent signals or precursors, and thus it is significantly difficult to predict a school shooting. Nevertheless, the study by Garcia-Bernardo et al. attempts to identify the role of the copycat effect in school shootings as well as the correlation between the amount of information about such an event provided by a mass media platform and the prevalence of the copycat effect.

One of the most principal findings made by Garcia-Bernardo et al. is the significance of the copycat effect in the context of school shootings investigation. As it is mentioned in the article, the interaction between attacks on schools “can be attributed to an acute ‘issue-attention cycle’ with the media reacting strongly to every attack” (Garcia-Bernardo et al. 5). The authors developed their conclusions based on the profound and very inclusive investigation of a large number of tweets since Twitter appears to be one of the most prevalent and diverse social media platforms/mass media. The authors also investigate FBI databases about school shootings. One of the principal findings of the study is that “social media publicity about school shootings correlates with an increase in the probability of new attacks” (Garcia-Bernardo et al. 6). The research is based on the use of a comprehensive mathematical theory, and thus it is possible to state with certainty that the results are reliable.

The Concept of Contagion in the Context of School Shootings

Another concept that should be mentioned in the context of the impact of mass media coverage on the probability of school shootings is contagion. The article by Towers et al. focuses on the implementation of the concept of contagion as a framework for analyzing the phenomenon of school shootings (see Fig. 2). The authors reinforce the findings of the article by Garcia-Bernardo et al., stating that “media reports of suicides and homicides appear to subsequently increase the incidence of similar events in the community” (Towers et al. 1). However, the originality of the approach by Towers et al. is that they use the contagion model to analyze how the occurrence of school shootings increases the probability of a similar event in the immediate future.

The findings of the study by Towers et al., as well as those of the article by Garcia-Bernardo et al., reinforce the assumption which was made in the causes section of this paper. Contemporary mass media appears to be a highly influencing force in terms of spreading ideas and creating a public opinion about various things. In the context of school shootings, Towers et al. suggest that the temporary increase in the probability of another shooting lasts for 13 days on average since the day of the antecedent shooting (1). Therefore, it could be concluded that the spreading of school shooting ideas is considerably similar to the process of contagion.

In the final section of the paper before the conclusion, it is essential to overview how the problem of school shootings is responded to by the current legislative acts and what could be possibly done to improve the situation. As it was mentioned several times previously, the importance of gun control is considered to be one of the most important aspects of decreasing the negative impact of mass shootings. This perspective is well-recognized in the contemporary academic literature. For example, studies by Kalesan et al., Katsiyannis et al., as well as Metzl and MacLeish indicate that the existing firearms laws are not significantly efficient in terms of preventing school shootings.

It is possible to assume that one of the most worrying aspects of the current firearm legislation is that there are few attempts to regulate the weapon ownership in households where children or teenagers can access these weapons. As it is mentioned by Schildkraut and Hernandez, Adam Lanza, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooter, obtained guns that had his mother (359). Other studies also exemplify similar circumstances that preceded other school shootings. Therefore, it is essential to propose that more strict and thorough rules of gun ownership, possession, and storage were created. Another problem, which is mentioned by Vlahov, is that there have been no government-sponsored studies on the issue of mass shootings since 1996 (293). Therefore, it is particularly difficult to estimate the potential efficiency of newly proposed gun laws. Accordingly, it is of high significance to create and promote a community-based and research-based firearm legislation agenda.

However, one of the most effective means of decreasing access to weapons and thus lowering the probability of school shootings is the implementation of background checks for those who wish to purchase weapons. For example, Kalesan et al. state that, as of 2013, only “14 out of the 50 states and District of Columbia had some form of background checks (BCs) for firearm purchase, out of which 5 states required BC for handgun purchases alone but not for long guns or assault weapons” (321). A considerable part of the article by Schildkraut and Hernandez is also dedicated to the discussion of background check legislation. The authors argue that even though such legislation exists, they often do not adequately work (Schildkraut and Hernandez 369). However, it is proven statistically that states with background check laws for firearm and ammunition purchases have lower school shooting incidence rates (Kalesan et al. 326). Therefore, it is essential to implement such legislation.

As to conclude on the conducted analysis, it is essential to restate the immense significance of the problem of school shootings for contemporary America. Considering the thesis statement of this paper, it is possible to extend it by observing that the phenomenon of school shootings is a highly complex set of factors and variables which influence each other reciprocally, and thus it is considerably difficult to predict and prevent such events. Nevertheless, several important arguments could be made to build a comprehensive conclusion on how to decrease the negative impact of the problem under discussion.

First of all, firearm legislation should be changed with the help of the government so that it would be more difficult for teenagers to access various weapons. This aspect of the proposed solution includes the creation of a community and research-based agenda, the implementation of more thorough background checks, and stricter regulation of the conditions of firearm possession. Secondly, it is argued that it is essential to pay more attention to the prevalence of mental illnesses and psychological problems, which are common among school students so that it would be easier to detect some mental health problems that would later lead to another school shooting. Thirdly, the role of mass media, which might increase the probability of a school shooting, should also be considered by policymakers and other stakeholders.

Beland, Louis-Philippe, and Dongwoo Kim. “The Effect of High School Shootings on Schools and Student Performance.” Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis , vol. 38, no. 1, 2016, pp. 113-126.

Fox, James Alan, and Emma E. Fridel. “The Tenuous Connections Involving Mass Shootings, Mental Illness, and Gun Laws.” Violence and Gender , vol. 3, no. 1, 2016, pp. 14-19.

Fox, James Alan, and Monica J. DeLateur. “Mass Shootings in America: Moving beyond Newtown.” Homicide Studies , vol. 18, no. 1, 2014, pp. 125-145.

Garcia-Bernardo, Javier, et al. “Social Media Affects the Timing, Location, and Severity of School Shootings.” Cornell University Library ,Web.

Kalesan, Bindu, et al. “School Shootings during 2013–2015 in the USA.” Injury Prevention , vol. 23, no. 5, 2017, pp. 321-327.

Katsiyannis, Antonis, et al. “Historical Examination of United States Intentional Mass School Shootings in the 20 th and 21 st Centuries: Implications for Students, Schools, and Society.” Journal of Child and Family Studies , vol. 27, no. 8, 2018, pp. 2562-2573.

Metzl, Jonathan M., and Kenneth T. MacLeish. “Mental Illness, Mass Shootings, and the Politics of American Firearms.” American Journal of Public Health , vol. 105, no. 2, 2015, pp. 240-249.

Schildkraut, Jaclyn, and Tiffany Cox Hernandez. “Laws that Bit the Bullet: A Review of Legislative Responses to School Shootings.” American Journal of Criminal Justice , vol. 39, no. 2, 2014, pp. 358-374.

Towers, Sherry, et al. “Contagion in Mass Killings and School Shootings.” PLoS One , vol. 10, no. 7, 2015, pp. 1-12.

Vlahov, David. “Building the Evidence Base to Prevent Firearm Deaths and Injuries.” Journal of Urban Health , vol. 95, no. 3, 2018, pp. 293-294.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, January 12). School Shooting and Firearms in the United States. https://ivypanda.com/essays/school-shooting-and-firearms-in-the-united-states/

"School Shooting and Firearms in the United States." IvyPanda , 12 Jan. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/school-shooting-and-firearms-in-the-united-states/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'School Shooting and Firearms in the United States'. 12 January.

IvyPanda . 2021. "School Shooting and Firearms in the United States." January 12, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/school-shooting-and-firearms-in-the-united-states/.

1. IvyPanda . "School Shooting and Firearms in the United States." January 12, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/school-shooting-and-firearms-in-the-united-states/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "School Shooting and Firearms in the United States." January 12, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/school-shooting-and-firearms-in-the-united-states/.

• Banning Assault Rifles Guns in the USA
• Guns Usage in the United States
• The Mental Illness and Gun Violence Analysis
• Criminal Lawyers, Informants and Evidence
• Sentencing and Punishment in the US
• Garrity v. New Jersey and Fifth Amendment Rights
• Police Accountability and Public Information Access
• Restorative Justice in the Criminal Justice Process

An official website of the United States government

The .gov means it’s official. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

The site is secure. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

• Publications
• Account settings

Preview improvements coming to the PMC website in October 2024. Learn More or Try it out now .

• Advanced Search
• Journal List
• Am J Public Health
• v.107(3); Mar 2017

Mass Shootings: The Role of the Media in Promoting Generalized Imitation

J. N. Meindl took the lead in conceptualizing the topic and writing the text. J. W. Ivy contributed to developing the media suggestions and analysis. Both of the authors contributed to improving successive iterations of the text.

Mass shootings are a particular problem in the United States, with one mass shooting occurring approximately every 12.5 days.

Recently a “contagion” effect has been suggested wherein the occurrence of one mass shooting increases the likelihood of another mass shooting occurring in the near future. Although contagion is a convenient metaphor used to describe the temporal spread of a behavior, it does not explain how the behavior spreads. Generalized imitation is proposed as a better model to explain how one person’s behavior can influence another person to engage in similar behavior.

Here we provide an overview of generalized imitation and discuss how the way in which the media report a mass shooting can increase the likelihood of another shooting event. Also, we propose media reporting guidelines to minimize imitation and further decrease the likelihood of a mass shooting.

Mass shootings occur worldwide but are a particular problem in the United States. Despite being home to only 5% of the world’s population, roughly 31% of the world’s mass shootings have occurred in the United States. 1 As of 2015, a mass shooting resulting in the death of four or more people occurred approximately every 12.5 days. In addition to public massacres such as the shooting in an Orlando, Florida, nightclub in 2016, these figures include mass shootings related to gang activity or family slayings. Although there are many variables responsible for a mass shooting, and each instance is immediately precipitated by different events, the commonality is that a significant number of individuals are killed during the event.

Recently a contagion effect, similar to a “copycat” effect, has been suggested in mass shootings. This effect suggests that behaviors can be “contagious” and spread across a population. In the example of mass shootings, a contagion effect would be said to exist if a single mass shooting incident increased the likelihood of other instances of mass shootings in the near future. Contagion has been documented across a variety of other behaviors, including airplane hijackings, 2 smoking cessation, 3 and binge eating, 4 and has been well researched in relation to suicide. 5,6 There is now evidence that when a mass shooting occurs, there is a temporary increase in the probability of another event within the next 13 days on average. 7

Although understanding contagion allows for some degree of prediction that when one event occurs, a similar event is more likely to occur in the near future, it affords only prediction regarding temporal contiguity. The theory does not, for example, provide information on what factors might influence another person to commit a mass shooting or how the occurrence of a mass shooting can set the occasion for someone to commit a similar act.

CONTAGION VS GENERALIZED IMITATION

When applied to behavior, “contagion” is a metaphor borrowed from epidemiology to explain how behaviors can spread across a group of people. 8 Behaviors, however, are not diseases that can spread on contact. Essentially, contagion models an outcome—when someone engages in a behavior, there is a probability that someone else may do the same—but it does not describe the behavioral mechanism for the spread of the behavior. A better model is generalized imitation, which is well studied in the psychological literature 9 and can help explain the increased likelihood of people engaging in behaviors similar to those they have been made aware of or actually observed.

The difference between imitation and contagion is not merely one of semantics. Generalized imitation is the learned ability to perform behaviors that are similar to behaviors observed or described, even when performance is delayed. It is a skill that is acquired at an early age and gradually strengthened through many life experiences. Generalized imitation does not suggest that a person will always perform an exact copy of the model’s behavior; rather, it suggests that the person will perform a behavior with similar characteristics. For example, people imitating a boxer may not throw the same punches in the same sequence, but they will engage in similar boxing-like behaviors at a later point in the near future. If the likelihood of engaging in boxing-like behaviors were increased by observing someone else boxing, generalized imitation would be an important contributing factor.

Several variables affect generalized imitation. In general, people are more likely to imitate a model who is similar to themselves, particularly in terms of age and gender; who is of an elevated social status; who is seen being rewarded; and who is seen as competent. 10

THE ROLE OF MEDIA IN IMITATION

When mass shooters imitate other mass shooters, they are generally not imitating personally observed events (although this is possible in gang-related instances). In each case in which the event is unobserved, all information that could serve as a model for imitative behavior was provided via various media sources (legacy media, social media, new media), and research has demonstrated that media can influence imitation. 11 Not only do people often imitate behaviors that are portrayed in the media, the “reality” of the portrayal does not seem to have a significant influence. Imitation can occur regardless of whether the model is presented live, whether it is presented via film, 11 or even when the model’s behavior is merely described. 12

Importantly, the way that the media report an event can play a role in increasing the probability of imitation. When a mass shooting event occurs, there is generally extensive media coverage. This coverage often repeatedly presents the shooter’s image, manifesto, and life story and the details of the event, 13 and doing so can directly influence imitation.

Social status is conferred when the mass shooter obtains a significant level of notoriety from news reports. Images displaying shooters aiming guns at the camera project an air of danger and toughness. 14 Similarities between the shooter and others are brought to the surface through detailed accounts of the life of the shooter, with which others may identify. Fulfilled manifestos and repeated reports of body counts heap rewards on the violent act and display competence. Detailed play-by-play accounts of the event provide feedback on the performance of the shooter. All of these instances serve to create a model with sufficient detail to promote imitated mass shootings for some individuals.

DECREASING MASS SHOOTINGS: MEDIA AND IMITATION

If the manner with which the media (legacy, new, social) report a mass shooting event plays a role in promoting further mass shootings, changing these reporting methods could decrease imitation. This tactic has been effective in decreasing imitated suicide, 15 and the World Health Organization, citing 50 years of research on imitation, has posted media guidelines on reporting suicides to prevent imitational suicides. 16 The guidelines include suggestions such as not sensationalizing suicide (e.g., suggesting an “epidemic”), avoiding prominent headlines, not suggesting that suicide is caused by any single factor such as depression, not repeating the story too frequently, not providing step-by-step descriptions of methods, limiting use of photographs and videos, and being particularly careful with celebrity suicides.

Similar suggestions have been provided for reporting mass shootings. For instance, the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training team, in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has developed the “Don’t Name Them” campaign. The campaign aims to curb media-induced imitational mass shootings and suggests minimizing naming and describing the individuals involved in mass shootings, limiting sensationalism, and refusing to broadcast shooter statements or videos. James Comey, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, followed a similar strategy in describing the 2016 shooting in Orlando:

You will notice that I am not using the killer’s name and I will try not to do that. Part of what motivates sick people to do this kind of thing is some twisted notion of fame or glory, and I don’t want to be part of that for the sake of the victims and their families, and so that other twisted minds don’t think that this is a path to fame and recognition. 17

Adopting the recommendations of the World Health Organization and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training team could help decrease the number of mass shootings in the United States.

There are additional strategies, suggested by research on generalized imitation, that media outlets might adopt to further minimize imitational mass shootings. One strategy could be to present the shooter’s actions in a negative light. Discussions of the actions of the shooter (e.g., preparation, planning, shooting) could portray these actions as shameful or cowardly. Associating observed behavior with punishment has been shown to decrease the likelihood of imitation. 18 Portraying the shooter’s behavior as shameful could decrease any perceived rewarding of the behavior, as emotional responses such as shame are generally not associated with positive outcomes.

A second strategy could be to avoid in-depth descriptions of the shooter’s rationale for engaging in the behavior. In general, people are more likely to imitate the behaviors of other people who they view as similar to themselves. When the media repeatedly describes a purported motive for the shooting they may inadvertently be pointing out similarities between the shooter and others that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. For example, stating that a shooter took revenge after years of bullying may portray a mass shooting as one possible response option for individuals experiencing bullying and with similar backgrounds as the shooter. Understanding the motive for a mass shooting is undoubtedly important, but in-depth descriptions of rationales may serve not only to inform but also to increase the likelihood of imitation.

A third strategy could be to reduce the overall duration of news coverage after a mass shooting. In the case of suicide, a dose–response relationship has been suggested wherein increased media coverage of a suicide event results in an increase in imitational suicides. 19 The same might be true for imitational mass shootings. There is a clamor for news after a mass shooting, and media coverage may continue for weeks. To the extent that media attention is perceived as rewarding the actions of the shooter through notoriety, thereby also increasing the social status of the shooter, decreasing overall media coverage may minimize the likelihood of imitation following a mass shooting event.

A fourth strategy could be to limit the use of live press events immediately following a mass shooting. Although there is a heightened desire for information in the immediate aftermath of a mass shooting, this information does not necessarily need to be offered in a live event, which might increase the overall level of “excitement” surrounding the event. Instead, information could be released via written updates. Not only would this minimize perceived reward, it might actually serve to decrease overall interest in the event, which might further curb imitation.

Similarly, it is important that new outlets present only the facts of a mass shooting rather than attempting to produce entertaining or dramatic digital re-creations of the event. There should be a clear attempt on the part of the media to reduce the frenetic energy or emotion of a “breaking news story.” Instead, the bare facts of the event should be conveyed in a straightforward or even dull manner to minimize interest in the event. Sensationalism should be avoided.

Finally, media reports should avoid providing detailed accounts of the actions of a mass shooter before, during, or after the event. Describing the shooter’s actions in extensive detail, or through graphical presentations, may provide additional information regarding the behaviors that might further prompt imitation. Instead, only the details necessary to describe the event should be provided. The less the behavior is described, the less likely it is to be imitated.

CONCLUSIONS

A mass shooting is a complex and destructive act that occurs as a result of many factors. One factor that is relevant to the spread of mass shootings and other “contagious” behaviors is generalized imitation. In instances of mass shootings, the media appear largely responsible for providing the model to imitate. Although there are a variety of strategies that could function in tandem to alter the likelihood of a mass shooting, changing the way the media report mass shootings is one important step in preventing and reducing imitation of these acts. Furthermore, it is likely that media-prompted imitation extends beyond mass shootings. A media effect has been shown with suicide, is implied in mass shootings, and may play a role in other extreme events such as home-grown terrorism and racially motivated crimes.

The responsibility for these acts does not reside with the media, but the media are an important vector for the spread of such behaviors. Changing the way in which the media report a mass shooting could be difficult given that sensationalizing a tragic event brings in both viewers and revenue, which is a powerful incentive. In addition, the continual creation and expansion of social and new media platforms may make change more difficult because, in these instances, individuals rather than larger corporate entities develop and disseminate media. Given the numerous media outlets that exist and the various motivations behind the posting of content, it is unlikely that the reforms suggested here could be effectively mandated.

However, public pressure could be exerted on the various media outlets and individual contributors to change their reporting tactics. In the case of new and social media, this same pressure could influence the various platforms to provide guidelines regarding uploaded content related to a mass shooting. The first step toward building this public pressure is to make the general public aware of the link between the media and generalized imitation, as well as the role the media play in unknowingly perpetuating acts of violence.

1 year after Buffalo mass shooting, some residents feel they're left to save themselves

"It doesn't stop the movement for us," said Damone Mapps.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- In the wake of the racially motivated mass shooting at a Buffalo grocery store a year ago this week, there was an outpouring of sympathy and support.

Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the funeral for Ruth Whitfield, at 86 the oldest of the 10 Black victims , decrying the "epidemic of hate" in America and saying "no one should ever be made to fight alone."

But 10 days after the May 14, 2022, attack, the national spotlight shifted to Uvalde, Texas , where 19 students and two teachers were gunned down at an elementary school. A number of mass shootings followed, drawing attention away from Buffalo, leaving survivors, loved ones and the community where the massacre occurred, saying, once again, they felt on their own to pick up the pieces.

"We keep looking for somebody, but nobody's coming in to save us," said Garnell Whitfield Jr. , the retired Buffalo fire commissioner, and Ruth Whitfield's son. "This is about looking inwardly. Any changes that have ever happened in the world are because humans got together and connected in some way."

While some residents say they have started fending for themselves, elected leaders argue that this is a turning point, a moment of urgency to help save the east side from decades of neglect, segregation and the numerous underlying inequalities government has failed to fix and made it a target of hate.

MORE: 'My life was destroyed': Survivors, loved ones struggle a year after Buffalo shooting

$1.1 billion in funds.

At least $1.1 billion in state and federal funds have been earmarked for east side improvements, but citing a history of broken promises and indifference, some longtime residents say they won't believe the money will make it to where it's supposed to go until they see results.

About a week before the deadly rampage last May, state and local elected leaders announced a $1 billion commitment to construct a park-like cover over the Kensington Expressway, which was built decades ago and divided the east side community.

In June, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced $50 million of targeted investments as part of the state’s effort to address the immediate needs on Buffalo's east side, acknowledging that the neighborhood "for decades suffered from significant disinvestment, neglect, and the failure of government policy."

MORE: Brothers battle white supremacy after mother killed in Buffalo massacre

The funds include the state’s first-ever investment in a community-led initiative to fight food insecurity on the east side, which has one grocery store, the Tops where the shooting occurred.

Hochul said money is also going to support small businesses, job training programs and to assist first-time homebuyers and east side homeowners facing foreclosures.

In March, Hochul announced $2.5 million in additional funding, specifically to help individuals affected by the shooting. Money, she said, was to be immediately distributed to boost staffing at the Buffalo United Resiliency Center, a place of healing for those affected by the massacre , including Tops employees and shooting survivors.

MORE: Survivors say Buffalo's history of segregation and racial tensions linked to Tops shooting

"The racist policies that contributed to the mass shooting did not happen overnight, and the difficult essential work to heal and correct the harms won't either," Rep. Brian Higgins, whose congressional district includes Buffalo, said in a statement to ABC News, adding the east side neighborhood "will not be forgotten."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., said she has worked to get her "Build Local, Hire Local" legislation passed, prioritizing training and hiring of local workers on government-funded projects, including those impacting the east side community.

MORE: 'Hurts': Loved ones of Buffalo massacre victims brace for Mother's Day a year after shooting

"We will never forget the ten innocent lives we lost last year, and I promise to never stop fighting in Congress to honor their memory and strengthen this community," Gillibrand said in a statement to ABC News.

And Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he is pushing to establish an innovation and manufacturing hub in Buffalo, "to build new economic opportunities for workers across the city."

"Though we have made strides since that awful day, there is much work to be done, and I will stand with community leaders every step of the way to build a safer and more equitable Buffalo for all." Schumer said in a statement to ABC News.

MORE: Buffalo shooting: Remembering the 10 lives taken a year ago in Tops massacre

Inequity in development.

Following the shooting, people across the nation donated $6.4 million to the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Funds, which by November was dispersed to 169 individuals directly affected by the shooting, with most of the money going to the families of those killed and the three people wounded. But others survivors who were not physically injured but were traumatized by the horrific episode said the $9,500 many of them received wasn't enough to get them back on their feet.

Despite the pledges of support, some neighborhood advocates allege little of the funding delivered to Buffalo in the decades prior the store shooting has gone to the east side.

MORE: Buffalo grocery store president speaks out after massacre as tensions rise with some workers

Since 2012, more than $8 billion in economic investment has been made citywide in Buffalo, according to the Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning. While such neighborhoods as Elmwood Village in the central part of the city, picked as one of America’s 10 Great Neighborhoods by the American Planning Association, and Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo boasts bustling shopping areas and major projects, the east side residents say they've been mostly shunned.

"What you have is a lot of big projects going on all over the place. And we believe as a consequence, white business owners will get most of the contracts and workers on the projects will be mostly white," Dr. Henry Louis Taylor, director of the Center for Urban Studies at the University at Buffalo, told ABC News.

Taylor said he's skeptical east side residents will benefit in any substantial way from the post-shooting infusion of funds, saying, "Those millions and billions of dollars will flow through the east side like water through a sieve en route to suburban communities and upscale Buffalo neighborhoods."

MORE: Buffalo: Healing from Hate

But Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, elected the city's first Black mayor in 2006, told ABC News he disagrees, saying, "millions and millions of dollars" have been invested in the east side community during his administration. He said in many ways the neighborhood is still struggling to recover from the widespread damage left by a 1967 race riot that required thousands of abandoned and crumbling homes to be torn down and have never been replaced.

"When you talk about Elmwood Village, when you talk about Hertel Avenue, that kind of unrest never occurred in that part of the city. So, the neighborhood fabric, the commercial fabric was completely intact," Brown said.

In the meantime, east side residents said they are doing what they can to save themselves.

'Life is good on Cherry Street'

Katherine "Kat" Massey lived on Cherry Street in a house once belonging to her parents just feet from the Kensington Expressway. Among her neighbors were her sister, Barbara Massey Mapps, and her brother, Warren Massey. When she felt happy, she would often tell her family, "life is good on Cherry Street," her sister told ABC News.

Kat Massey, according to Mapps, was involved in up to 20 community groups and was the Cherry Street Block Club president. Following Kat Massey's death in the Tops shooting, her loved ones have kept caring for city-owned empty lots on their street, beautifying them with trees.

"He took a real beautiful person from us. Not just us, but from the other people on the street," Damone Mapps, Kat Massey's nephew, said of the killer, 19-year-old Payton Gendron, who pleaded guilty to committing the mass shooting and was sentenced in February to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

During Gendron's sentencing hearing, Damone Mapps, 46, attempted to take justice into his own hands. While his mother, Barbara Massey Mapps, was delivering an emotional victim impact statement, he suddenly lunged at Gendron, prompting court officers to restrain him.

"I wanted to kill him. I'm thinking, we've got to do something to this man for all the pain," he told ABC News.

Following his Aunt Kat's example, Damone Mapps said he maintains the empty city-owned lots on his streets, several blocks from Cherry Street.

MORE: A year after racist shooting rampage, Buffalo struggles to correct decades of segregation and systemic racism

"It doesn't stop the movement for us," he said of his aunt's murder.

Samantha's Garden

As the city works on plans for a permanent memorial for those killed in the mass shooting, deep-rooted east side resident Walter Myles has already erected one in the front yard of his century-old Victorian home. Among the chrysanthemums, sunflowers and morning glories are photos encased in clear acrylic sheets of the 10 Black residents killed in the Tops massacre.

"It shows people care. We care," the 72-year-old retired railroad conductor told ABC News.

He said he holds a bond with those grieving their loved ones a year later. His garden is dedicated to the memory of his 23-year-old niece, Samantha Cothran, who was fatally shot in a separate incident on May 13, 2012, outside a house party in Buffalo.

His garden also features photos of firemen and police officers who perished in the line of duty, and historical African American figures, including Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Thurgood Marshall. It makes him "feel strong," he said, when people pass his house and smile.

"That's what flowers do to people, it brings out the best of us," Myles said.

Fighting white supremacy

Relatives of other victims of the Buffalo mass shooting have formed or are working on their own grassroots groups.

Whitfield and his brother, Raymond Whitfield, have launched the nonprofit Pursuit of tRuth to fight white supremacy in honor of their murdered mother.

Mark Talley, whose 62-year-old mother, Geraldine Talley, was killed, also launched a nonprofit, Agents for Advocacy, to fight injustice and promote socioeconomic equity in Buffalo. And Wayne Jones, who lost his 65-year-old mom, Celestine Chaney, said he is planning to start a nonprofit to support children whose parents are killed as a result of violent crime.

Solving the ‘food apartheid’ problem

The east side Tops, which reopened two months after the mass shooting, remains the only supermarket in the neighborhood -- for now, serving the 68,000 residents of the east side, which five decades ago boasted numerous grocery stores and businesses.

The African Heritage Food Co-op is working to convert an old grocery store about a mile from the Tops market into a 5,000-square-foot co-op to offer fresh food from regional farms, several owned by Black farmers.

"Food is control. If someone controls your food, they can control where you go, they can control how you vote," Alexander Wright, the founder of the program, told ABC News.

Wright said he has secured more than $3 million in private donations and grants from the state of New York, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Buffalo Bills Foundation to construct the new store with tentative plans to open it this year, staffed with employees from the east side.

"We're not about access, we're about ownership," Wright said. "Anything less than ownership is unacceptable."

Tackling racial inequities

The Tops tragedy has moved some east side leaders to double down on efforts to achieve racial justice and equity in education, employment, health and homeownership, saying they're determined to make the victims of the shooting catalysts for change.

The racial justice group Open Buffalo's office sits a few minutes from the Tops supermarket where the shooting happened and sprang into action right away to help the neighborhood in its darkest days.

MORE: 6 months after Buffalo massacre, some survivors say time has done little to heal

"Everyone just showed up and just started doing," Franchelle Parker, executive director of Open Buffalo, told ABC News.

Among the organization's most prominent efforts to break the cycle has been its Emerging Leaders program, which seeks to identify future local leaders and teach them organizing and networking skills to affect meaningful change in their communities.

Michelle Jones, director of the Liberty Partnerships Program in Buffalo, a group funded by the New York State Department of Education that works with students in grades 5-12 to curb the school dropout rate and prepare them for college or careers, was among the first graduates of the Emerging Leaders program.

"My hope is that with the tools and the networking I have done, I can translate that into helping students be community organizers," Jones said. "I can help them to advocate for themselves and give them access to different spaces outside their neighborhood, so they can become successful and meaningful contributors to their neighborhoods and beyond."

Related Topics

• Buffalo Supermarket Shooting