Ahmad, M., Mekala, H., Lone, J., Robinson, K., & Shah, K. (2020). Addressing mass shootings in a new light. Cureus, 12(7), 1-3.
The main idea of the selected source is that, despite all the cultural, philosophical, and spiritual developments humankind undergoes, people never refrain from using firearms to injure several people simultaneously. It contributes to this paper’s argument that mass shootings lead to devastation and sorrow. Apart from that, the article provides several risk factors for mass shootings as possible predictors of the intruder’s characteristics.
For example, many perpetrators deal with mental illnesses, and most of them have no financial means to overcome this issue by relying on psychologists or therapies. These individuals frequently have an extensive history of substance abuse and anger issues. Moreover, they are more likely to be discriminated against in society, which causes them to act violently toward its agents. Since the authors acknowledge this as a significant social problem, especially in the United States, they offer suggestions for balancing relationships among the media, governments, the National Rifle Association, and the public. Their ideas frame the key takeaways of this paper because they are short, clear, and precise.
Brownlee, C. (2023). Are mass shootings contagious? The Trace.
This publication points to the fact that mass shootings have been more frequent and deadly in recent years. However, they are still not recognized as contagious, meaning most people do not perceive this behavior as commonplace, and it does not inspire them. Many cases occur in private spaces rather than serving as a spectacle for publicity, thereby justifying the effect of non-contagion. This article is relevant because it lists many cases and the factors that cause them, which help determine the course of current mass shootings.
The author of this source, Chip Brownlee, earned a degree in politics and journalism, making him a credible writer with expertise in the chosen area. More importantly, he cites several peer-reviewed studies throughout the text, increasing the source’s reliability. The concluding sentence predicts an increase in violations, urging the audience to prepare for an upcoming catastrophe. Therefore, Brownlee’s analysis of the behavior’s contagion reveals the intricate nature of this brutality and helps assess the increasing rates and frequencies of these cases.
Cavalea, A. C., Tedesco, A., Leonard, J. K., John P., Smith, A., Danos, D., Schoen, J. E., & Marr, A. B. (2023). Comparison of rampage and non-rampage mass shootings in the U.S.: A 5-year demographic analysis. Injury, 54(9), 1-7.
In this peer-reviewed article, Cavalea and his colleagues compare different parameters of two subtypes of mass shootings – rampage and non-rampage execution. The former occurs when one perpetrator kills random victims, while the latter involves gangs or drug activities and bar fights. This paper uses the statistics from Cavalea et al. (2023), which provide valuable insight into the demographic determinants of attackers.
For instance, non-rampage shootings usually involve African Americans or some minorities from less disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, while the typical profile of the rampage shooter is White or Asian. Although rampage shootings occur less frequently, they result in higher mortality. Since a comprehensive discussion and evaluation support this evidence, it is appropriate for the current debate on possible predictors of violence. Therefore, this comparison of two different subtypes is necessary to challenge existing misconceptions about mass execution.
Fazel, S., Gulati, G., Linsell, L., Geddes, J. R., & Grann, M. (2009). Schizophrenia and violence: Systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS Medicine, 6(8), 1-15.
The selected source is a peer-reviewed article providing a valuable review of several databases and comparing their results regarding the correlations between schizophrenia, homicides, and drug abuse. Its findings demonstrate the heterogeneity of the existing research but also state that mental health illnesses, indeed, cause a higher likelihood of violence. However, the correlation increases once individuals suffer from substance abuse-associated comorbidities, meaning that patients with this destructive habit are more likely to get involved in brutality than those with pure psychosis.
This assessment of mental health and lifestyle factors and acknowledgment of homicide as their outcome is crucial for this paper. It challenges stigmatization around individuals with schizophrenia and indicates the necessity to intervene in substance abuse complexities. It is highly relevant to this text as it criticizes the notion of whether the things people know about mass shootings are sophisticated.
Jewett, P. I., Gangnon, R. E., Borowsky, I. W., Peterson, J., Areba, E. M., Kiragu, A., & Densley, J. (2022). US mass public shootings since Columbine: Victims per incident by race and ethnicity of the perpetrator. Preventive Medicine, 162(1), 1-11.
Jewett and her team of credible researchers focus on the assessment of mass public shootings in the United States, acknowledging this country as the most dominant in gun and weapon use. This peer-reviewed publication in a journal with an undeniable reputation examines the database of American gun violence with total victims beyond fatalities. The relatable idea behind this text is that firearm restrictions limit African Americans’ rights to possess guns, leading to disproportionate access among races and ethnicities.
On this occasion, the Whites are perceived as the most privileged ones, increasing the odds of homicide with their involvement. The resource examines the history of gun use, presenting essential statistics and case studies. Therefore, it is a reliable source on gun violence incidents and should be used in this paper.
Merino, S. M. (2018). God and guns: Examining religious influences on gun control attitudes in the United States. Religions, 9(6), 189-202.
This paper on mass shootings considers counterintuitive findings regarding the role of religious affiliation in gun ownership, as outlined by Merino (2018) in his article. Even though most people believe the lack of religious beliefs increases homicides, this article opposes their claim. White evangelical Protestants have higher rates of gun ownership, and they reject any gun control interventions. In this case, gun empowerment is linked to the feelings of safety, protection, and self-worth, which are enhanced due to the individualism of religious people. This idea is insightful in the report analyzing the existing knowledge and opinions about mass shootings since the author investigates the intersection of gun initiatives and religion.