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The latest Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) research sheds light on the demographics and trends of mass public shootings, challenging commonly held perceptions.
Politicians and media often inflate mass shooting statistics, as seen in President Biden’s claim of 650 mass shootings since Uvalde and CNN’s report of 586 shootings in 2023 alone. These figures, derived from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), broadly categorize mass shootings as incidents with four or more people shot or injured, leading to a skewed public perception.
This overgeneralization contrasts starkly with more focused definitions used by the FBI and academic studies, which consider mass shootings as public incidents where the shooter aims to kill as many as possible. According to the FBI, a “mass” shooting involves the murder of four or more people.
Between 1998 and October 2023, handguns were the weapon of choice in 52.5% of attacks, with rifles used exclusively in 16.8% of cases. The study also provides detailed data on the types of firearms used, including the notable use of AR-15-type handguns with pistol-stabilizing braces in two attacks.
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The research reveals intriguing racial and ethnic dynamics in these shootings. Non-Middle Eastern whites, making up 55.3% of the US population, accounted for 55% of both murderers and victims, slightly below their population share.
Blacks, comprising 13.6% of the population, were underrepresented as victims (9.9%) but represented 16.7% of the murderers. Hispanics and Asians also showed disparities in their representation as perpetrators and victims compared to their population percentages. Notably, 44% of Asian victims were killed by other Asians.
Trans individuals were significantly overrepresented in mass public shootings, constituting 7.4 times their share of the population between 2018 and 2023.
Mental health also plays a critical role, with 51% of mass murderers having consulted mental health professionals prior to their attacks. Veterans, who comprise 6% of the US population, represented nearly 20% of mass public shooters from 1998 to 2023.
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Statistically, the number of mass public shootings has risen over the years, averaging 3.9 attacks and 33.1 fatalities annually, with a decline in the number of victims per attack. This trend was evident across five-year intervals from 1999 to 2023.
The study also highlights that 82% of these attacks since 1998 occurred in gun-free zones. Examining the attackers’ writings (manifestos) supports this trend.
Finally, California stands out with a higher per capita rate of mass public shootings compared to the rest of the US, especially post-2000. Since 2000, California’s rate was 0.33 per million, while the rest of the US had a rate of 0.25. This disparity widened in subsequent years, reaching 0.13 for California and 0.05 for the rest of the US since 2020.
Check out the full report over at the CPRC website.
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Big surprise. California has more of them, because they have a disproportionately large population of lunatics. Trans people are over represented because they’re mentally ill and are willing to kill anyone who doesn’t affirm their delusions. The veterans they cite probably have PTSD. Problem isn’t guns, it’s too many crazies running around loose and unmedicated!
Colion noir has said that the anti’s are now counting “shots fired” as a mass shooting; no injuries need apply.
You gave us the numbers that were taken from GVA and then tell us the FBI has a better definition for mass shootings. What were their numbers?
The fake numbers were the ones quoted by CNN and Biden the rest were the FBI numbers. GVA counts gang shoot outs as mass shootings and they admitted that there were 4 ‘mass shootings’ in Chicago in one weekend and no one was hurt, but reported ‘hundreds’ of rounds fired. The guy behind GVA said in an interview that he makes it up to over state to promote GC.
Too bad it’s not about reducing these incidents (focus on mental health) but politicizing them to enable the end of the 2nd and gun confiscation. There is no limit to the people the left would sacrifice on the alter of disarmament. 7
what percent were “birthday party’s”????