https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m en-us 2022-10-23 16:00:12 UTC 2022-12-12 00:24:44 UTC hello@padlet.com sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352399176 In 2020, more Americans died of gun-related injuries than any other year on record (Gramlich, 2022). Mass shootings have been a recurring problem in the world, but most specifically the United States. This isn’t something that anybody should have to be worried about whenever they go to school, work, or any other public place. Yet the reality is that more and more Americans are living in fear every day because of this. Unfortunately, the challenge in combatting mass shootings is the influence that politics has taken on. One side would like to see more gun restrictions while the other side believes this would make little to no difference and infringes their right to bear arms. This has caused a debate in which it seems almost impossible for anyone to ever agree on a policy. While it may seem difficult to truly eliminate mass shootings from happening in the United States, there are steps that can be taken to begin this task. This Padlet will explore these topics using various forms of media including journal articles and videos. First we will examine the prevalence of mass shootings and what may be causing them to happen. Then we will consider possible motivations and patterns observed through past public mass shootings as well as what's currently being done to prevent the issue. Finally, we will discuss potential solutions and prevention strategies that could decrease public mass shootings in the United States.]]> 2022-10-23 16:11:55 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352399176 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352410045 This column provides information on what a mass shooting is, how it can happen anywhere, how families and friends/survivors of gun violence feel about the issue, and statistics on current gun violence in the United States.]]> 2022-10-23 16:25:24 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352410045 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352422558 There is a lot of misconception on how a mass shooting is defined as several organizations provide similar but slightly different definitions. The general definition that is followed by most organizations including the FBI, the Congressional Research Service (a research institute for the United States Congress), and the Gun Violence Archive (a nonprofit research group) will consider a mass shooting as four or more individuals fatally shot not including the killer (Berk, 2022; Booty et al., 2019; Gun Violence Archive, 2022). ]]> 2022-10-23 16:41:01 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352422558 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352437662 In a study done by Lankford (2019), they observed the most significant mass shootings occurred in public businesses, colleges, schools, workplaces, military facilities, government buildings, along with other popular locations. Significant mass shootings were defined as high-fatality in which attacks resulted in 8 or more victims killed. The study further explained throughout the years, high-fatality cases have become increasingly more common. Read more about this study and its findings here. ]]> 2022-10-23 16:59:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352437662 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352448734 Berkowitz & Alcantra (2021) provide excellent information on gun violence statistics and allows you to view information on specific shootings that have happened in the past. Common public locations where mass shootings have happened include motels, nightclubs, shopping malls, churches, and more. This article emphasizes that while public mass shootings only account for a small portion of the country's gun deaths (out of 6,850 gun deaths in 2021, 51 of those were due to mass shootings), "they are uniquely terrifying because they occur in the most mundane places. Most of the victims are chosen not for what they have done but simply for where they happen to be" (Berkowitz & Alcantara, 2021, para. 2).  ]]> 2022-10-23 17:13:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352448734 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352473578 In this CBS Evening News video, gun violence is referred to as an epidemic and explains how gun violence is now considered a public health crisis in the United States with 246 mass shootings having already occurred this year as of June of 2022. A public health crisis can be defined as a situation whose "scale, timing, or unpredictability threatens to overwhelm routine capabilities" (Nelson et al., 2007, para. 6).]]> 2022-10-23 17:43:59 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352473578 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352480834 In this CNN video, survivors as well as family and friends of victims of public mass shootings talk about their feelings towards the growing number of mass shootings and how things shouldn't be this way.]]> 2022-10-23 17:53:33 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352480834 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352483801 This column examines what is generally known about the motivations of shooters and the patterns/trends we can observe.]]> 2022-10-23 17:57:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352483801 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352488008 According to Everytown Research & Policy (2022), trends in mass shootings are often:

• committed by someone who illegally possesses a firearm
• committed by someone who had previously displayed warning signs
• intertwined with domestic violence acts
• far deadlier when an assault weapon and high-capacity magazines are involved
  
  

]]> 2022-10-23 18:02:43 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352488008 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352493262 2022-10-23 18:09:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352493262 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352507586 We can try to understand the motivation of mass shooters' through theories of criminality. Looking at psychological theories, one explanation could be Freudian Theory. Meaning, the act of shooting could be "unconsciously motivated due to repression of personality conflicts and unresolved problems experienced in early childhood (Hagan & Daigle, 2019, p. 159). Many people believe mental illness is a contributing motivational factor, so this theory could, in part, offer some insight. For example, one study found that if a mass shooter lives through their attack, they are often diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic (Dutton et al., 2013). ]]> 2022-10-23 18:28:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352507586 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352525292 Another theory could be Albert Bandura's Social Learning Theory. This theory suggests that aggressive behavior is learned, and the consequences of anothers' actions can influence one's behavior as well (Hagan & Daigle, 2019, p. 161). This leads into another common motivation that the shooter is wanting "fame" or "attention." Plenty of times a mass shooting occurs, the media focuses more on the shooter and less of the victims. By seeing all the attention a previous shooter received, this may "inspire" another to follow through with the shooting. For more information about Social Learning Theory, click here. ]]> 2022-10-23 18:53:37 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352525292 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352528108 This column examines parts of society that are leading to the occurrence of public mass shootings. ]]> 2022-10-23 18:57:36 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352528108 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352538391 This column explains how families of victims and survivor's themselves are advocating for change, what public places are doing to keep people safe, and how these cases should be handled in court. ]]> 2022-10-23 19:12:34 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352538391 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352540444 When it comes to a mass shooting court trial, there is one of two ways it can be addressed. A criminal suit, which is a lawsuit by the state against the individual; or a civil suit, which is a dispute between private parties ("Types of Cases," n.d.). As for which one is better, it appears to depend on the circumstance. In most public mass shootings, businesses and other locations are held civilally liable rather than criminally liable. For example, if the shooting is unexpected, the location will likely have a civil suit. However, if the location had suspicion that a shooting may happen and didn't take any action, they will likely have a criminal suit. ]]> 2022-10-23 19:15:54 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352540444 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352552659 Steinlage (2020) provides an example of a civil suit against McDonald's in which McDonald's was found not liable due to their claim that the attack was not foreseeable. The case arose when families of the victims/survivors sued the Mcdonald's for negligence as the business was in a high-crime area and should have provided more security.]]> 2022-10-23 19:33:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352552659 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352554342 This column offers ideas of possible solutions/programs that could be implemented to solve or reduce mass shootings in the United States.]]> 2022-10-23 19:36:17 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352554342 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352559904 The simplest solution, yet also the most controversial, is to impose stricter gun laws. This could be by banning assault weapons and high capacity magazines (which are currently legal in the U.S.). This article looks into the types of gun laws other countries have and how it compares to the U.S. Further research has found that when states have weaker gun laws, they are more likely to have increased rates of violent crime (Wilson, 2022). To name a few, Iowa has seen an increase in gun violence since weakening its laws, Mississippi has the weakest gun laws in the country as well as the highest firearm death rate, and Hawaii is the only state that requires a complete registry of all firearms in the state and had the lowest number of gun deaths in 2020 (Wilson, 2022). ]]> 2022-10-23 19:44:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352559904 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352561708 Another step that's important in reducing gun violence is requiring licensing and training for someone to purchase a firearm. As of right now, the federal law does not require either of these. One way this could be done is by having former police or military hold annual trainings. These groups would be well equipped to train individuals in the use of firearms. In addition, requiring background checks before purchasing a gun would also heavily decrease gun violence in the country.  To read more about how licensing would influence gun use, click here.]]> 2022-10-23 19:47:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352561708 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352564707 The storing of firearms should also be regulated. This article gives statistics about how dangerous it is to store guns in your household improperly. For example, when not locked away properly, young children could easily gain access to the firearm and cause an accidental shooting (Schaechter, n.d.). ]]> 2022-10-23 19:51:49 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352564707 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352573155 Some recent policies that public venues have implemented include the following:

• clear bag policies
• metal detectors
• x-ray machines (ex. amusement parks, airports)
• random bag/person searches
• providing more [trained] security at events
• installing additional surveillance cameras to keep an eye on all entrances/exits, parking lots, etc.

]]> 2022-10-23 20:05:29 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352573155 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352575799 Lankford & Silver (2020) observe previous shooters' patterns to assess how motives have changed over time. This article also attempts to explain how this correlates to mass shootings becoming more deadly. One explanation for this correlation included support for the idea that the desire for fame is a motivation for mass shootings. Essentially, the more people that are killed, the more attention the shooter will receive as this is what has been seen in previous high-fatality shootings (Lankford & Silver, 2020). ]]> 2022-10-23 20:09:44 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352575799 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352583128 Sullivan (2021) provides an example of a criminal suit brought against the parents of a juvenile who took a gun to school and killed four people while wounding 7 others. The trial has not taken place yet, but the parents were charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter as they have been accused of ignoring the warning signs that their kid was displaying (Sullivan, 2021).]]> 2022-10-23 20:22:06 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352583128 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352586075 Gun laws in the U.S. are not very restrictive. People as young as the age of 18 can legally purchase not only guns but also military type firearms with high capacity magazines (Giffords Law Center, n.d.). These types of guns are able to shoot a large amount of rounds in a short amount of time which can easily lead to a mass number of casualties. Click here for a map of the United States that shows which states enforce certain laws. One example seen in the article shows that 22 states have a "no permit required" law which allows individuals to carry concealed weapons with no permit, 19 states have a "shall issue" law which essentially grants a law abiding person a permit to carry concealed firearms after completing specified requirements, and the remaining 9 states have stricter requirements (NRA-ILA, n.d.). ]]> 2022-10-23 20:27:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352586075 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352591074 Webster et al. (2020) found that one of the most effective gun law policies to reduce fatal mass shootings was requiring a background check process. A reasoning offered for this was that states in which background checks are required are able to identify those with a criminal history as well as reducing the chance of illegal sales (Webster et al., 2020). To read more about which gun policies are better at reducing gun violence, click here.]]> 2022-10-23 20:36:15 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352591074 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352597297 In addition, access to guns is everywhere. Today in the United States, it seems easier to buy a gun than baby formula. People have the ability to purchase a gun from their family members, friends, neighbors, or even a common store like Walmart. With this easy access, people who are not legally allowed to possess a gun has a way to own one. Background checks are only conducted during an in-store gun purchase. A person buying a firearm off of a family member or friend are not required to have a background check.]]> 2022-10-23 20:47:13 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352597297 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352601608 Arguments have been made that gun manufacturing companies are only concerned about money. Therefore, they do not care whether they are operating ethically or not. The more customers they can generate, the more product will be sold, which results in more money for these manufacturers. For example, there was a case reported in 2020 where the Mexican government filed a lawsuit against American gun-makers and distributors for damages caused by illegal firearms in an attempt to expand responsibility for gun violence (Fredrick, 2021). ]]> 2022-10-23 20:55:40 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352601608 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352604427 Another psychological warning sign that is often argued is violence depicted in video games, movies, and other forms of media. Regardless of being a child, adolescent, adult, etc., If one is exposed to countless hours of these violent scenes, they will be more likely to experience aggressive thoughts and potentially act out on these. However, as of now, most scientific studies have not found significant evidence to support the claim that there is a link between violence depicted in the media and mass shootings (American Psychological Association, 2019).]]> 2022-10-23 21:01:21 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352604427 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352608572 A final solution could be to keep a closer eye on those who display signs of violence. This could be some sort of non-emergency hotline made specifically for suspicious activity involving gun violence. This hotline could also provide a website stating certain things that would make an individual be considered "at risk." Along with this, people should have better access to therapists or some form of help so that the chances of a violent outbreak will be severely reduced. Then, these individuals will be able to receive the help they need before the crime is committed. ]]> 2022-10-23 21:09:28 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352608572 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352611250 Currently, it seems as though society is more focused on trying to help the victims cope with the tragedy that occurs rather than taking steps to prevent it from happening in the first place. While it is nice these people are not being ignored, they want more to be done. Time and time again, mass shootings happen and every time the victims hear the repeated "I'm so sorry this happened to you." To quote Kimberly Rubio, the mother of a mass shooting victim, "we are no longer asking for change. We are demanding it, and we are angry as hell" (Hensel, 2022, para. 5).]]> 2022-10-23 21:14:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352611250 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352616700 Everytown Research & Policy (2022) provides statistics on how many homes do not properly store guns which can cause an increase in child gun deaths/injuries. ]]> 2022-10-23 21:26:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352616700 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352622078 It's clear to see that mass shootings are continuing to escalate throughout America. Just within the first six months of 2022 there had already been 246 mass shootings, and based on past trends, this number is only going to continue to increase throughout the years unless we make a change. While we may never be able to pinpoint the reason as to why people commit these actions, we do have a variety of theories and patterns to further research to gain a better understanding of how we can try to prevent these shootings from happening. Until then, there are several policies and programs that could be made to implement change, and over time, significantly diminish our country's current gun death rate. ]]> 2022-10-23 21:34:18 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352622078 sbd00002 https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352632837 Another common idea people have as to what causes mass shootings is bullying in childhood. In this TedX (2018) talk, Aaron Stark talks about the experiences in his childhood that led to him almost becoming a mass shooter. Dutton et al. (2013) claims that through examining diaries and websites left by past mass shooters that it's not necessarily bullying that leads to a mass shooter, but rather a fixation they have developed upon a group as a result of rejection. ]]> 2022-10-23 21:55:55 UTC https://padlet.com/sbd00002/dtpvifbdn0g0wg9m/wish/2352632837