Mass shootings in the United States and beyond: definitions, contexts, and controversies
Mass shootings are a major topic of concern among the American public and generate a tremendous amount of fear. Lack of consistency in how the term “mass shooting” is defined, however, creates public misunderstandings about the phenomenon, which then affect efforts by policymakers to prevent and res...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Contributors: | |
| Format: | Print Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2024
|
| In: |
Routledge handbook of homicide studies
Year: 2024, Pages: 140-165 |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Summary: | Mass shootings are a major topic of concern among the American public and generate a tremendous amount of fear. Lack of consistency in how the term “mass shooting” is defined, however, creates public misunderstandings about the phenomenon, which then affect efforts by policymakers to prevent and respond to this social problem. As we demonstrate here, different definitions and data sources provide a very divergent picture of mass shootings in the United States, and answers to common questions raised in public and policy discussions depend on the specific type of incident being considered. The frequency of mass shootings, increasing nature of this threat, likelihood of victimization for the average American, and most common perpetrator characteristics and motives vary across different definitional parameters. Similarly, whether firearms legislation, mental health treatment, or more responsible media coverage can help prevent mass shootings depends on a nuanced understanding of differences across perpetrators and offense types. Ultimately, the public, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers need a more sophisticated appreciation of the complex nature of mass shootings to make greater progress on combating this deadly threat. |
|---|---|
| Item Description: | Literaturverzeichnis: Seite 159-165 |
| Physical Description: | Diagramm |
| ISBN: | 9781032506593 |