Examining the effects of firearm lethality and aggressors’ intentions to kill on injurious firearm violence at American schools: A research note

This study examined firearm lethality and aggressors’ lethal intent on injurious fatal and nonfatal school shootings using data from The American School Shooting Study, which covers 329 school shootings in the United States from 1990 to 2016. We developed a new multidimensional construct for measuri...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Authors: Klein, Brent R. (Author) ; Schnell, Cory (Author) ; Chermak, Steven M. 1964- (Author) ; Freilich, Joshua D. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Criminology
Year: 2025, Volume: 63, Issue: 3, Pages: 673-686
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Volltext (kostenfrei)
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Keywords:
Firearms
Gun violence
Instrumentality
lethal intent
School Shootings
Description
Summary:This study examined firearm lethality and aggressors’ lethal intent on injurious fatal and nonfatal school shootings using data from The American School Shooting Study, which covers 329 school shootings in the United States from 1990 to 2016. We developed a new multidimensional construct for measuring shooters’ determination to kill and examined firearm characteristics while considering confounding factors. We identified 11 distinct categories of shooters’ intent, with most showing a strong desire to kill. Both intent and weapon lethality significantly impacted school shooting homicides. Overall, we recommend that prevention and theoretical models should address both factors.
ISSN:1745-9125
DOI:10.1111/1745-9125.70005