Opinion
Listen as we take a deep dive into a great scholarly article: Exploiting Mass Public Shootings By E. Gregory Wallace at Firearms Research Center.
Mass public shootings are heartbreaking events that claim innocent lives and leave entire communities shaken. But instead of addressing the complex causes of these tragedies, some media outlets and politicians rush to exploit these events, using fear to push an agenda that targets lawful gun owners. Let’s break down what’s really happening and why you deserve the full picture.
Manipulating Numbers to Fuel Fear
When the average person hears about “445 mass shootings this year,” it’s natural to feel alarmed. But that number, often reported by the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), doesn’t mean what it sounds like. The GVA defines a “mass shooting” as any event where four or more people are injured or killed, lumping together gang violence, domestic disputes, and even robberies.
Contrast that with databases like The Violence Project, which focus specifically on public shootings unrelated to criminal motives like gang activity or domestic violence. By this more focused definition, there have been only a handful of true mass public shootings this year, tragic as those are. The GVA’s inflated numbers mislead the public, creating a sense of chaos that’s weaponized to justify restrictive gun laws.
Focusing on Guns Instead of Solutions
In the wake of every publicized shooting, gun-control advocates immediately call for banning popular firearms, like AR-15s, labeling them “weapons of war.” But data shows this is more about optics than effectiveness.
Most mass shootings actually involve handguns—not rifles. Even studies claiming the federal assault weapons ban (1994–2004) reduced shootings rely on flawed methods, such as misclassifying non-banned firearms as “assault weapons.” In reality, mass public shootings increased during the ban period and continued on a gradual upward trend afterward, driven by factors unrelated to firearm availability.
Banning certain guns isn’t the solution it’s made out to be. Instead, it distracts from meaningful efforts like improving mental health care, securing public spaces, and addressing the societal factors driving violence.
Why Media Coverage Feeds the Wrong Narrative
The media amplifies fear by giving mass shootings wall-to-wall coverage while often downplaying other deadly events. A horrific mall shooting gets days of airtime, while similar or even greater death tolls from car attacks or local weekend violence barely make headlines. This selective focus fosters an emotional reaction that leaves little room for thoughtful debate about effective policy.
Real Solutions Start with Understanding
Stopping violence isn’t about scapegoating firearms. It’s about confronting hard truths: broken family structures, untreated mental illness, and social isolation are often the root causes of mass shootings. Practical steps—such as ensuring better access to mental health resources, improving security in vulnerable locations, and enforcing existing gun laws—offer far more promise than blanket bans that punish law-abiding citizens.
Gun-control advocates claim to want safety, but their proposals often fall short of addressing the real problems. Instead of stripping away your rights, it’s time to focus on strategies that truly protect everyone. That’s a conversation worth having.
Citing Fake Mass-shooting Data, US Surgeon General Declares ‘Gun Violence’ a Public Health Crisis
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