THE PARKLAND MASSACRE REVISITED
The Parkland massacre of 2018 will forever be etched in the minds of those who were affected by it. The shooting, which claimed the lives of 17 people and injured 17 others, was a tragedy that shook the nation to its core. But now, more than three years later, the families and survivors of the massacre are getting some closure.
According to reports, the 1200 building where the shooting occurred will be demolished soon. But before that happens, family members and survivors will be allowed to visit the building for a few weeks. The visits will be strictly private and accompanied by prosecutors, victim advocates, law enforcement officials and school district representatives.
It's a small step towards closure for those who lost loved ones in the shooting. But it's also a reminder of the need for better school safety measures in our country.
Since the Parkland shooting, there have been numerous efforts to improve school safety and prevent future tragedies. Recommendations have been made to implement access controls, conduct regular threat assessments, provide mental health services and counseling, develop emergency operation plans, train school staff and law enforcement, and enhance coordination and communication among school officials and community partners.
But as with any controversial issue, there are criticisms of these measures. Some argue that they create a false sense of security or infringe on the rights of students and staff. Others say they are costly and ineffective.
However, one thing is clear: we need to do more to prevent mass shootings in our schools. We need to find a balance between safety and freedom, between prevention and intervention.
It's a tough challenge, but one that we must tackle head-on. As the families and survivors of the Parkland massacre prepare to say goodbye to the 1200 building, let's remember that their loss was not in vain. Let's honor their memory by working towards a safer future for our children and our communities.
THE DEFT DIVE
On February 14, 2018, a former student named N******* C*** opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others. It was the deadliest shooting at a high school in U.S. history. ¹²
The shooting sparked a nationwide movement for gun control and school safety, led by the survivors and the families of the victims. C*** was sentenced to life in prison without parole on November 2, 2021, after pleading guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder and 17 counts of attempted murder. ³
The building where the shooting occurred, known as the 1200 building, has been preserved as a crime scene since then, pending the trials of C*** and Scot Peterson, the former school resource officer who was accused of failing to confront the shooter. Peterson was acquitted of all charges on December 29, 2021. ⁴
Parkland families, survivors to visit 1200 building before it’s demolished
According to the Broward State Attorney's Office, family members and survivors of the massacre will be allowed to visit the 1200 building before it is demolished, starting from Wednesday, July 5, 2023. The visits will be strictly private and accompanied by prosecutors, victim advocates, law enforcement officials and school district representatives. ⁵⁶
The state attorney's office said that this procedure was made at the request of the 34 listed victims in the mass shooting prosecution and with the cooperation and agreement of all the agencies involved. The visits are expected to last for a few weeks. ⁵
After the visits, custody of the building will be turned back over to the Broward School District and it will be demolished. The school district said that it will move quickly to demolish the building, remove the debris and restore the site to a landscaped condition for future use. ⁷
List of victims
The following table shows the names and ages of the 17 people who were killed in the shooting.
Alyssa Alhadeff 14
Scott Beigel 35
Martin Duque Anguiano 14
Nicholas Dworet 17
Aaron Feis 37
Jaime Guttenberg 14
Chris Hixon 49
Luke Hoyer 15
Cara Loughran 14
Gina Montalto 14
Joaquin Oliver 17
Alaina Petty 14
Meadow Pollack 18
Helena Ramsay 17
Alex Schachter 14
Carmen Schentrup 16
Peter Wang 15
Bing, 7/5/2023
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(7) In ‘strictly private’ sessions, 34 to visit crime scene of 2018 Parkland shooting. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-strictly-private-sessions-34-to-visit-crime-scene-of-2018-parkland-shooting/ar-AA1dqJrW.
(8) Family, survivors to visit Marjory Stoneman Douglas building | Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article277005813.html.
(9) Families ask court to allow reenactment of Parkland shooting - MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/families-ask-court-to-allow-reenactment-of-parkland-shooting/ar-AA1dqwzn.
Parkland shooting and school safety measures
The Parkland shooting prompted several initiatives to improve school safety measures nationwide, especially regarding access control, threat assessment, mental health support and emergency response. Two government commissions on school safety, one federal and one state, issued recommendations based on best practices and research.
Federal Commission on School Safety
The Federal Commission on School Safety was established by the Trump administration in March 2018 to study and recommend solutions to advance the safety of schools. The commission released its final report in December 2018, which contained 93 best practices and policy recommendations for federal, state and local governments. ¹
Some of the key recommendations related to school safety measures are:
- - Implementing access controls that limit the number of entry points to school buildings and allow only authorized personnel and visitors to enter.
- - Conducting regular threat assessments to identify and intervene with students who pose a risk of violence to themselves or others.
- - Providing mental health services and counseling to students who need them and promoting a positive school climate that fosters social and emotional learning.
- - Developing emergency operation plans that include protocols for prevention, protection, mitigation, response and recovery in the event of a crisis.
- - Training school staff, students and law enforcement on how to respond to an active shooter situation and conducting drills and exercises to test the plans.
- - Enhancing coordination and communication among school officials, law enforcement, first responders and community partners.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission was created by the Florida legislature in March 2018 to investigate the Parkland shooting and make recommendations to improve school safety and security. The commission released its initial report in January 2019, which contained 215 findings and 100 recommendations. ²
Some of the key recommendations related to school safety measures are:
- - Establishing a single point of entry for visitors to school campuses and directing them to appropriate entry points with clear signs.
- - Installing door alert or notification systems, electronic access systems, video intercoms, locks and buzzers at entrances and exits.
- - Requiring visitors to show identification, state their purpose, wear a badge and have a staff escort when inside the school.
- - Implementing a statewide behavioral threat assessment instrument and process for identifying, reporting and managing students who exhibit concerning or threatening behavior.
- - Providing adequate mental health professionals and services for students in need and ensuring timely referrals and follow-ups.
- - Adopting policies that allow qualified school staff to carry firearms on campus as part of the Guardian Program or hiring more school resource officers or security personnel.
- - Developing comprehensive emergency operation plans that include roles and responsibilities, procedures, training, exercises and evaluation.
- - Improving radio communication systems among school staff and law enforcement agencies.
¹: https://www2.ed.gov/documents/school-safety/school-safety-report.pdf
²: http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MSDHS/CommissionReport.pdf
Bing, 7/5/2023
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(2) Parkland Officer Found Not Guilty in Case That Shed Light on Police Role in School Safety. https://www.edweek.org/leadership/parkland-officer-found-not-guilty-in-case-that-shone-on-police-role-in-school-safety/2023/06.
(3) Then-Parkland school resource officer who stayed outside during mass shooting found not guilty. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/then-parkland-school-resource-officer-who-stayed-outside-during-mass-shooting-found-not-guilty/ar-AA1dcFzz.
(4) Parkland shooting sheriff's deputy Scot Peterson found not guilty on all counts. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/scot-peterson-verdict-parkland-shooting-sheriff-deputy/.
(5) Final Report of the Federal Commission on School Safety (PDF). https://www2.ed.gov/documents/school-safety/school-safety-report.pdf.
(6) School safety commissions recommended single entry point after Parkland .... https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/education/school-safety-commissions-recommended-single-entry-point-after-parkland-shooting.
Effectiveness of school safety measures in preventing shootings
There is no definitive answer to how effective school safety measures are in preventing shootings, as different measures may have different impacts depending on the context, implementation and evaluation. However, some studies and surveys have attempted to assess the perceived or actual effectiveness of some common school safety measures based on empirical evidence or expert opinions.
Perceived effectiveness
A 2018 survey by the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research asked a nationally representative sample of 1,122 adults about their views on various school safety policies and their effectiveness in reducing firearm violence. The survey found that:
- - The school policies perceived to be most effective in reducing firearm violence were installing an alert system in schools (70 percent), working with law enforcement to design an emergency response plan (70 percent), creating a comprehensive security plan (68 percent), requiring criminal background checks for all school personnel prior to hiring (67 percent), and implementing an anonymous system for students to report peer concerns regarding potential violence (67 percent).
- - The school policies perceived to be least effective in reducing firearm violence were arming teachers and other school staff (36 percent), allowing teachers and other school staff to carry their own guns (34 percent), and installing metal detectors at school entrances (33 percent).
- - The survey also found that 69 percent of adults supported stricter gun laws in general, and 76 percent supported banning assault-style weapons. ¹
Actual effectiveness
A 2018 essay by Cheryl Lero Jonson, a criminal justice professor at Xavier University, reviewed the empirical literature on the effectiveness of various school safety measures, such as access control, threat assessment, mental health services, emergency operation plans, active shooter training and armed security. The essay found that:
- - Access control measures, such as locks, buzzers, cameras and metal detectors, may have some deterrent effect on potential shooters, but they also have limitations and drawbacks, such as false alarms, maintenance costs, privacy concerns and negative impacts on school climate.
- - Threat assessment is a promising strategy that involves identifying, assessing and managing students who pose a risk of violence to themselves or others. However, it requires adequate training, resources and collaboration among school staff, law enforcement and mental health professionals.
- - Mental health services are essential for preventing and responding to school shootings, as many shooters suffer from mental health problems or trauma. However, many schools lack sufficient mental health professionals and services to meet the needs of their students.
- - Emergency operation plans are critical for mitigating the effects of a shooting and ensuring a coordinated response among school staff, law enforcement and first responders. However, many schools do not have comprehensive or updated plans or do not conduct regular drills or exercises to test them.
- - Active shooter training, such as lockdown drills or "run, hide, fight" protocols, may help prepare school staff and students for a shooting situation and reduce casualties. However, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of these trainings and some concerns about their potential psychological harms or unintended consequences.
- - Armed security personnel, such as school resource officers or armed teachers, may provide some protection or deterrence against shooters, but they also pose significant risks and challenges, such as accidental shootings, misuse of force, legal liability and negative effects on school climate. ²¹: https://apnorc.org/projects/school-safety-and-shootings/
- ²: https://www.schoolsafety.gov/sites/default/files/2021-01/Preventing%20School%20Shootings.pdf
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(4) School Safety and Shootings - AP-NORC. https://apnorc.org/projects/school-safety-and-shootings/.
(5) Can Security Measures Really Stop School Shootings?. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-security-measures-really-stop-school-shootings/.
Criticisms of school safety measures
School safety measures are not without controversy or criticism, as some of them may have unintended or undesirable consequences for students, staff and school climate. Some of the common criticisms of school safety measures are:
- - They may create a false sense of security or complacency, as they cannot guarantee the prevention or elimination of school shootings or other forms of violence.
- - They may be costly, ineffective, impractical or inappropriate for certain schools or contexts, as they may not address the root causes or risk factors of school violence or meet the diverse needs of students and communities.
- - They may have negative impacts on the academic, social and emotional well-being of students and staff, as they may create a climate of fear, distrust, anxiety or alienation, or interfere with learning and teaching activities.
- - They may infringe on the rights, privacy or dignity of students and staff, as they may involve surveillance, searches, profiling, discrimination or criminalization of certain groups or behaviors.
Examples of criticisms
Some examples of criticisms of specific school safety measures are:
- - Metal detectors: Critics argue that metal detectors are expensive, inefficient, unreliable and intrusive. They may create long lines, delays and bottlenecks at school entrances, disrupt the flow of instruction and increase tardiness and absenteeism. They may also fail to detect some weapons or contraband, or be easily circumvented by determined offenders. Moreover, they may create a hostile or prison-like atmosphere in schools, erode trust and respect between students and staff, and disproportionately target students of color or low-income backgrounds. ¹²
- - Armed security: Critics argue that armed security personnel, such as school resource officers or armed teachers, are risky, unnecessary and harmful. They may increase the likelihood of accidental shootings, misuse of force, escalation of conflicts or injuries. They may also divert resources from more effective prevention and intervention programs, such as mental health services or restorative justice practices. Furthermore, they may contribute to the school-to-prison pipeline, as they may criminalize minor or nonviolent infractions, disproportionately arrest or discipline students of color or with disabilities, or violate their civil rights. ³
- - Active shooter training: Critics argue that active shooter training, such as lockdown drills or "run, hide, fight" protocols, are traumatizing, ineffective and counterproductive. They may induce fear, stress, anxiety or panic among students and staff, especially if they are conducted without warning, consent or debriefing. They may also fail to prepare them for the unpredictability and complexity of a real shooting situation, or even provide useful information to potential shooters. Additionally, they may undermine the sense of safety and belonging in schools, as they may normalize violence and distrust.
¹: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/can-security-measures-really-stop-school-shootings/
²: https://www.npr.org/2018/03/01/590076949/efficacy-of-school-metal-detectors-questioned
³: https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline/bullies-blue
: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/educators-oppose-arming-teachers
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) Making Schools Safe for Students | National Institute of Justice. https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/making-schools-safe-students.
(2) Fast Facts: School safety and security measures (334). https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=334.
(3) School Safety: What Really Works - National Association of School .... https://www.nasponline.org/Documents/Resources%20and%20Publications/Handouts/Families%20and%20Educators/March_13_School_Safety.pdf.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, a non-profit organization that tracks gun-related incidents in the U.S., there have been at least 17 school shootings that resulted in deaths since the Stoneman Douglas massacre on February 14, 2018. These are:
- - March 7, 2018: Huffman High School, Birmingham, Alabama. One student killed by another student.
- - March 20, 2018: Great Mills High School, Great Mills, Maryland. One student killed and another injured by a student shooter, who also died.
- - May 18, 2018: Santa Fe High School, Santa Fe, Texas. Ten people (eight students and two teachers) killed and 13 others injured by a student shooter.
- - May 25, 2018: Noblesville West Middle School, Noblesville, Indiana. One teacher and one student injured by a student shooter.
- - August 20, 2018: Overland High School, Aurora, Colorado. One student killed in a parking lot shooting.
- - September 11, 2018: Canyon Springs High School, North Las Vegas, Nevada. One student killed in a shooting near the school.
- - November 14, 2018: David W. Butler High School, Matthews, North Carolina. One student killed by another student after a fight.
- - December 13, 2018: Dennis Intermediate School, Richmond, Indiana. A teenage suspect died after exchanging gunfire with police at the school.
- - January 31, 2019: Martin Luther King Jr. College Preparatory High School, Memphis, Tennessee. One student killed in an off-campus shooting after a fight at the school.
- - May 7, 2019: STEM School Highlands Ranch, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. One student killed and eight others injured by two student shooters.
- - May 24, 2019: Muncie Central High School, Muncie, Indiana. One student killed in an off-campus shooting after an argument at the school.
- - November 14, 2019: Saugus High School, Santa Clarita, California. Three students (including the shooter) killed and three others injured by a student shooter.
- - February 3, 2020: Texas A&M University-Commerce Residence Hall, Commerce, Texas. Two women (a student and her sister) and a toddler killed by the student's ex-boyfriend.
- - February 4, 2020: Ombudsman Chicago Charter School West Campus Alternative Learning Opportunity Program (ALOP), Chicago Heights Illinois. One student killed by another student after an argument at the school.
- - November 30, 2021: Oxford High School, Oxford Township Michigan. Four students killed and seven others injured (including a teacher) by a student shooter.
- - December 6th ,2021: Robb Elementary School Uvalde Texas .19 children and two teachers were gunned down
- - January 10th ,2022: Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan .Three students dead and five critically wounded
Bing, 7/5/2023
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(2) Parkland school shooting: 5 years later, here's what has changed (and .... https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/14/us/parkland-school-shooting-5-year-anniversary/index.html.
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(5) Parkland shooting: Five years later, survivors speak out - USA TODAY. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/02/11/parkland-shooting-survivors-speak-out-five-years/11203322002/.
There is no universally agreed-upon definition of a mass shooting, but one common criterion is that it involves four or more people being shot, not including the shooter. According to this definition, there have been hundreds of mass shootings in the U.S. since the Stoneman Douglas massacre on February 14, 2018. Some of the most notable ones are:
- - October 27, 2018: Tree of Life synagogue shooting, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Eleven people killed and six others injured by a gunman who opened fire during a Shabbat service.
- - November 7, 2018: Borderline Bar and Grill shooting, Thousand Oaks, California. Twelve people (including a sheriff's deputy) killed and 10 others injured by a gunman who attacked a country music night at a bar.
- - May 31, 2019: Virginia Beach municipal building shooting, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Twelve people killed and four others injured by a gunman who was a disgruntled city employee.
- - August 3, 2019: Walmart shooting, El Paso, Texas. Twenty-three people killed and 23 others injured by a gunman who targeted Hispanic shoppers at a Walmart store.
- - August 4, 2019: Oregon District shooting, Dayton, Ohio. Nine people killed and 17 others injured by a gunman who opened fire in a popular nightlife area.
- - December 6, 2019: Naval Air Station Pensacola shooting, Pensacola, Florida. Three people killed and eight others injured by a gunman who was a Saudi military trainee.
- - May 26, 2020: Molson Coors brewery shooting, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Five people killed and one injured by a gunman who was an employee of the brewery.
- - March 16, 2021: Atlanta spa shootings, Atlanta, Georgia. Eight people (six of them Asian women) killed and one injured by a gunman who attacked three spas in the metropolitan area.
- - March 22, 2021: King Soopers supermarket shooting, Boulder, Colorado. Ten people killed (including a police officer) and one injured by a gunman who opened fire at a grocery store.
- - April 15, 2021: FedEx Ground facility shooting, Indianapolis, Indiana. Nine people (including the shooter) killed and seven others injured by a gunman who was a former employee of the facility.
- - May 26th ,2021: Robb Elementary School Uvalde Texas .19 children and two teachers were gunned down
- - June 12th ,2021: Pulse Nightclub Orlando Florida .49 people were killed and 53 wounded in a hate crime against the LGBTQ community
- - July 22nd ,2021: Century Movie Theater Aurora Colorado .12 people were killed and 70 injured by a gunman who opened fire during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises
- - August 3rd ,2021: Garlic Festival Gilroy California .Four people (including the shooter) were killed and 17 wounded by a gunman who attacked the annual festival
- - September 1st ,2021: Odessa-Midland Shooting Odessa and Midland Texas .Eight people (including the shooter) were killed and 25 injured by a gunman who went on a shooting spree after being fired from his job
- - October 4th ,2021: Las Vegas Strip Shooting Las Vegas Nevada .One person was killed and four wounded by a gunman who fired from his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
- - November 30th ,2021: Oxford High School Oxford Township Michigan .Four students were killed and seven others injured (including a teacher) by a student shooter
- - December 6th ,2021: Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan .Three students were dead and five critically wounded
Bing, 7/5/2023
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(5) ‘Mass shootings should not be normal.’ Atlanta, Boulder, Parkland call .... https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2021/03/24/mass-shootings-should-not-be-normal-atlanta-boulder-parkland-call-for-gun-safety-laws/.
Commonalities among mass shootings
Mass shootings are complex and multifaceted phenomena that defy simple explanations or solutions. However, some researchers have attempted to identify some common patterns or factors that may contribute to or characterize mass shootings, based on empirical data or expert opinions. Some of the commonalities among mass shootings are:
Demographic characteristics
According to a database of public mass shootings in the U.S. from 1966 to 2020, compiled by the Violence Project, a research center funded by the National Institute of Justice, most mass shooters were male (97.8%), young (average age of 34), and acted alone (87.9%). ¹
The database also found that mass shooters were racially diverse, reflecting the general population. Those shooting were 52.3% White, 20.9% Black, 8.1% Latino, 6.4% Asian, 4.2% Middle Eastern, and 1.8% Native American. ¹
Psychological and social factors
According to the same database, most mass shooters had experienced some form of childhood trauma (69%) or exposure to violence at an early age (62%). They also had reached an identifiable crisis point (78%) in the weeks or months leading up to the shooting, such as losing a job, getting divorced, or facing eviction. ¹
Additionally, most mass shooters had a history of mental health problems (61%), suicidal thoughts or behaviors (68%), or substance abuse (37%). However, only 16% had been diagnosed with a psychotic disorder, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. ¹
Furthermore, most mass shooters had studied other mass shooters (80%) or expressed admiration or identification with them. They also had access to firearms (77%), either legally or illegally obtained, and often used high-capacity magazines or assault-style weapons. ¹
Motivational factors
According to a study by the FBI of active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 2000 to 2013, most shooters had multiple motives for their attacks, which were often complex and overlapping. The study identified four main categories of motives: grievances (45%), ideology (14%), mental health issues (10%), and unknown (31%). ²
The study also found that most shooters selected their targets based on their connection to a grievance (63%), their symbolic value (21%), their vulnerability (9%), or their randomness (7%). The most common types of grievances were related to work (21%), family/domestic (14%), school/academic (10%), or personal/other (28%). ²¹: https://www.theviolenceproject.org/mass-shooter-database/
²: https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/active-shooter-study-2000-2013-1.pdf/view
Bing, 7/5/2023
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Weapons used in mass shootings by type
Mass shootings can involve various types of firearms, depending on the availability, preference and motive of the shooter. However, some types of weapons are more commonly used than others, especially handguns and semi-automatic rifles. Here are some statistics and examples of weapons used in mass shootings by type:
Handguns
Handguns are the most common weapon type used in mass shootings in the U.S., with a total of 161 different handguns being used in 111 incidents between 1982 and April 2023, according to the Violence Project, a research center funded by the National Institute of Justice. ¹
Handguns include pistols, revolvers, derringers and other unspecified semi-automatic handguns. They are appealing to mass shooters because they are easy to conceal, access and use, and can hold multiple rounds of ammunition. ²
Some examples of mass shootings involving handguns are:
- - The 2019 Virginia Beach municipal building shooting, where the shooter used two .45-caliber pistols with extended magazines and a silencer, killing 12 people and injuring four others. ³
- - The 2018 Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, where the shooter used a .38-caliber revolver and a 9mm Glock pistol, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others. ⁴
- - The 2017 Las Vegas Strip shooting, where the shooter used several handguns in addition to rifles, killing 58 people and injuring 546 others.
- - The 2016 Orlando nightclub shooting, where the shooter used a 9mm Sig Sauer pistol and a .223-caliber rifle, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others.
- - The 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, where the shooter used a Glock pistol and a Sig Sauer pistol to kill himself and his mother, and a .223-caliber rifle to kill 26 people (including 20 children) at the school.
Rifles
Rifles are the second most common weapon type used in mass shootings in the U.S., with a total of 65 different rifles being used in 59 incidents between 1982 and April 2023, according to the Violence Project. ¹
Rifles include non-automatic, semi-automatic and illegally modified rifles. They are appealing to mass shooters because they have high accuracy, range and firepower, and can accommodate high-capacity magazines or assault-style features. ²
Some examples of mass shootings involving rifles are:
- - The 2021 Boulder supermarket shooting, where the shooter used an AR-15 style pistol with a stabilizing brace, killing 10 people (including a police officer) and injuring one other.
- - The 2019 El Paso Walmart shooting, where the shooter used an AK-47 style rifle with a high-capacity magazine, killing 23 people and injuring 23 others.
- - The 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting, where the shooter used an AR-15 style rifle and three Glock pistols, killing 11 people and injuring six others (including four police officers).
- - The 2017 Sutherland Springs church shooting, where the shooter used an AR-15 style rifle with a high-capacity magazine and a ballistic vest, killing 26 people (including an unborn child) and injuring 20 others.
- - The 2015 San Bernardino shooting, where the shooters used two AR-15 style rifles and two pistols, killing 14 people and injuring 22 others.
¹: https://www.theviolenceproject.org/mass-shooter-database/
²: https://abcnews.go.com/US/type-gun-us-homicides-ar-15/story?id=78689504
³: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/06/01/us/virginia-beach-shooting.html
⁴: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/15/us/florida-school-shooting-map.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/10/04/us/vegas-shooting-weapons.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/06/12/us/orlando-shooting-gunfire-maps.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/17/us/sandy-hook-timeline.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/article/boulder-colorado-shooting.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/article/el-paso-shooting.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/article/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/06/us/texas-shooting-church.html
: https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/04/us/san-bernardino-shooting.html
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) Guns used in mass shootings U.S. 2023 | Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/.
(2) The type of gun used in most US homicides is not an AR-15. https://abcnews.go.com/US/type-gun-us-homicides-ar-15/story?id=78689504.
(3) Most mass shooters get their semi-automatic rifles, handguns legally. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/07/12/mass-shootings-weapons-legal-what-to-know/7814081001/.
(4) AR-15 style weapons were used in 10 major shootings. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2021/mar/24/viral-image/ar-15-style-weapons-were-used-10-major-shootings/.
Efforts to regulate guns at the federal level
Gun regulation is a contentious and polarizing issue in the U.S., with strong opinions and interests on both sides of the debate. The federal government has the authority to enact laws and regulations related to firearms, but it also has to respect the constitutional right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment. The main federal law governing firearms is the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), which regulates the manufacture, sale, transfer and possession of firearms and ammunition. The GCA also establishes the categories of persons who are prohibited from possessing firearms, such as felons, fugitives, domestic abusers, drug addicts and mentally ill persons. ¹
In addition to the GCA, there are other federal laws and regulations that address specific aspects of firearms, such as the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA), which imposes taxes and registration requirements on certain types of weapons, such as machine guns, silencers and short-barreled rifles; the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993 (Brady Act), which requires background checks for firearm transfers by licensed dealers; and the Federal Assault Weapons Ban of 1994 (AWB), which prohibited the manufacture, transfer and possession of certain semi-automatic firearms and large-capacity magazines for 10 years until it expired in 2004. ²
Despite these existing laws and regulations, there are still many gaps and loopholes in the federal system that allow some people to obtain firearms without background checks, such as through private sales, gun shows or online platforms; some types of weapons or accessories to evade regulation or detection, such as ghost guns, bump stocks or stabilizing braces; and some forms of gun violence to go unaddressed or underreported, such as mass shootings, suicides or domestic violence. ³
To address these issues, there have been various efforts to introduce or pass new legislation or executive actions at the federal level to strengthen or expand gun regulation. Some of the recent or ongoing efforts are:
- - In June 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which is the first major gun safety legislation passed in decades. The law provides $5 billion over eight years for community violence intervention programs that aim to prevent gun violence in high-risk areas; $100 million for school safety grants that can be used for mental health services, threat assessment teams or other measures; $50 million for state crisis intervention programs that can help individuals who are experiencing mental health crises or suicidal thoughts; and $25 million for research on firearm injury and mortality prevention. The law also authorizes the Attorney General to issue regulations on ghost guns and stabilizing braces; requires background checks for all firearm transfers, with some exceptions; and establishes a national extreme risk protection order system that allows courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others. ⁴
- - In July 2022, the Justice Department issued a final rule to rein in the proliferation of ghost guns, which are unserialized, privately made firearms that are increasingly being recovered at crime scenes. The rule clarifies that when a device marketed as a firearm kit contains the parts necessary for a functioning firearm within the meaning of the GCA, it is a firearm subject to regulation under federal law. The rule also requires manufacturers or sellers of these devices to include a serial number and mark them as firearms.
- - In August 2022, the Justice Department issued a proposed rule to better regulate when devices marketed as firearm stabilizing braces effectively turn pistols into short-barreled rifles subject to the NFA. The rule provides criteria for determining whether a stabilizing brace substantially alters the characteristics of a firearm such that it should be considered a short-barreled rifle; requires manufacturers or sellers of these devices to provide notice to potential buyers about their legal obligations; and offers a grace period for current owners of these devices to comply with registration requirements under the NFA or dispose of them lawfully.
- - In September 2022, the Justice Department published model extreme risk protection order legislation to make it easier for states that want to adopt these red flag laws to do so. Extreme risk protection orders are court orders that temporarily prohibit individuals who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others from accessing firearms. The model legislation provides guidance on key features of these laws, such as who can petition for an order, what evidence is required, what procedures are followed, what remedies are available, and how due process is ensured.
Bing, 7/5/2023
(1) FACT SHEET: The Biden Administration’s 21 Executive Actions to Reduce Gun. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/07/11/fact-sheet-the-biden-administrations-21-executive-actions-to-reduce-gun-violence/.
(2) These are the gun control laws passed in 2022 | CNN. https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/30/us/gun-control-laws-2022/index.html.
(3) U.S. Gun Policy: Framework and Major Issues - CRS Reports. https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11038.
(4) USDOJ: United States Department of Justice Archive - Appendix C. https://www.justice.gov/archive/opd/AppendixC.htm.
