MASS SHOOTINGS UNITED STATES - IN THE 2009-2017 - EverytownResearch.org
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MASS
SHOOTINGS
IN THE
UNITED
STATES
2009–2017
1/27/2009 WILMINGTON, CA 2/14/2009 BROCKPORT, NY 3/5/2009 CLEVELAND, OH 3/10/2009 GENEVA COUNTY, AL 3/15/2009 MIAMI, FL 3/21/2009 EAST OAKLAND, CA 3/29/2009 CARTHAGE, NC 3/29/2009 SANTA CLARA, CA 4/3/2009 BINGHAMTON, NY 4/4/2009 GRAHAM, WA 4/6/2009 GREEN HILL, AL 4/19/2009 MIDDLETOWN, MD 6/22/2009 KANSAS CITY, KS 8/27/2009 LAWRENCEVILLE, GA 11/1/2009 MOUNT AIRY, NC 11/5/2009 FORT HOOD, TX 11/9/2009 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 11/12/2009 PEARCY, AR 11/26/2009 JUPITER, FL 11/28/2009 OSAGE, KS 11/29/2009 LAKEWOOD, WA 12/3/2009 MADISON, WI 1/16/2010 BELLVILLE, TX 1/19/2010 APPOMATTOX, VA 3/26/2010 NEW ORLEANS, LA 3/30/2010 WASHINGTON, DC 4/3/2019 LOS ANGELES, CA 4/14/2010 CHICAGO, IL 6/6/2010 HIALEAH, FL 8/3/2010 MANCHESTER, CT 8/6/2010 LANHAM, MD 8/14/2010 BUFFALO, NY 8/29/2010 LAKE HAVASU, AZ 9/2/2010 CHICAGO, IL 9/10/2010 JACKSON, KY 9/27/2010 RIVIERA BEACH, FL 9/28/2010 BOSTON, MA 1/8/2011 TUCSON, AZ 1/28/2011 MINOT, ND 2/11/2011 WILLOWBROOK, CA 4/16/2011 OAK HARBOR, OH 5/11/2011 AMMON, ID 6/2/2011 YUMA, AZ 6/19/2011 MEDFORD, KY 6/23/2011 GRAND PRAIRIE, TX 7/3/2011 WAGENER, SC 7/7/2011 GRAND RAPIDS, MI 7/30/2011 WHEATLAND, WY 8/5/2011 MARION COUNTY, FL 8/7/2011 COPLEY TOWNSHIP, OH 8/27/2011 CHESTERFIELD, VA 9/6/2011 MONONGALIA COUNTY, WV 9/6/2011 CARSON CITY, NV 9/26/2011 LAUREL, IN 10/12/2011 SEAL BEACH, CA 10/14/2011 LIBERTY, SC 11/20/2011 GREENSBORO, NC 11/30/2011 BAY CITY, TX 12/15/2011 GARGATHA, VA 12/16/2011 EMINGTON, IL 12/15/2011 GRAPEVINE, TX 1/17/2012 VILLA PARK, IL 1/29/2012 BIRMINGHAM, AL 2/20/2012 NORCROSS, GA 4/2/2012 OAKLAND, CA 5/2/2012 GILBERT, AZ 5/15/2012 PORT ST. JOHN, FL 5/19/2012 LEIVASY, WV 5/20/2012 TEMPE, AZ 7/6/2012 NEWTON FALLS, OH 7/20/2012 AURORA, CO 8/5/2012 OAK CREEK, WI 9/27/2012 MINNEAPOLIS, MN 11/18/2012 NEW TOWN, ND 12/2/2012 NORTHRIDGE, CA 12/4/2012 DETROIT, MI 12/8/2012 TULE RIVER RESERVATION, CA 12/14/2012 NEWTOWN, CT 1/7/2013 TULSA, OK 1/19/2013 ALBUQUERQUE, NM 4/13/2013 HERKIMER, NY 4/18/2013 AKRON, OH 4/21/2013 FEDERAL WAY, WA 4/24/2013 MANCHESTER, IL 4/28/2013 OTTAWA, KS 5/11/2013 WAYNESVILLE, IN 5/13/2013 FERNLEY, NV 6/7/2013 SANTA MONICA, CA 7/26/2013 HIALEAH, FL 7/26/2013 CLARKSBURG, WV 8/7/2013 DALLAS, TX 8/14/2013 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 9/11/2013 CRAB ORCHARD, TN 9/16/2013 WASHINGTON, DC 9/22/2013 RICE, TX 10/9/2013 PARIS, TX 10/26/2013 PHOENIX, AZ 10/28/2013 TERRELL, TX 10/29/2013 CALLISON, SC 11/7/2013 JACKSONVILLE, FL 11/23/2013 TULSA, OK 12/1/2013 TOPEKA, KS 1/16/2014 SPANISH FORK, UT 2/3/2014 ALTURAS, CA 2/20/2014 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 6/8/2014 FORT MYERS, FL 7/9/2014 SPRING, TX 7/26/2014 SACO, ME 8/4/2014 CULPEPER, VA 9/18/2014 BELL, FL 10/24/2014 MARYSVILLE, WA 11/15/2014 SPRINGFIELD, MO 11/21/2014 CLEVELAND, OH 12/1/2014 MORGANTOWN, WV 12/15/2014 SOUDERTON, PA 12/20/2014 ROCKFORD, IL 1/9/2015 SAN FRANCISCO, CA 1/31/2015 LA GRANGE, GA 2/7/2015 DOUGLASVILLE, GA 2/26/2015 TYRONE, MO 3/24/2015 INDIANAPOLIS, IN 4/17/2015 PHOENIX, AZ 5/13/2015 TUCSON, AZ 5/17/2015 WACO, TX 6/7/2015 MISSOULA, MT 6/13/2015 COLUMBUS, OH 6/17/2015 CHARLESTON, SC 7/15/2015 HARRIS COUNTY, TX 8/8/2015 HARRIS COUNTY, TX 8/8/2015 BARRE, VT 9/10/2015 GREENWOOD, MN 9/17/2015 PLATTE, SD 10/1/2015 ROSEBERG, OR 11/1/2015 PENDLETON, SC 11/14/2015 PALESTINE, TX 12/2/2015 SAN BERNARDINO, CA 1/27/2016 CHESAPEAKE, VA 2/20/2016 KALAMAZOO, MI 2/23/2016 BELFAIR, WA 3/7/2016 KANSAS CITY, KS 3/9/2016 WILKINSBURG, PA 4/22/2016 PIKE COUNTY, OH 4/22/2016 APPLING, GA 6/12/2016 ROSWELL, NM 6/29/2016 LAS VEGAS, NV 7/7/2016 DALLAS, TX 8/6/2016 SINKING SPRING, PA 9/23/2016 BURLINGTON, WA 10/15/2016 LOS ANGELES, CA 12/17/2016 CHICAGO, IL 1/6/2017 FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 1/27/2017 BREMERTON, WA 2/6/2017 YAZOO CITY, MS 3/22/3017 ROTHSCHILD, WI 3/30/2017 CHICAGO, IL 4/7/2017 HOUSTON, TX 5/27/2017 BOGUE CHITTO, MS 6/5/2017 ORLANDO, FL 6/15/2017 LA MADERA, NM 8/21/2017 ENFIELD, NC 8/24/2017 ST. LOUIS, MO 9/10/2017 PLANO, TX 9/15/2017 CHICAGO, IL 10/1/2017 LAS VEGAS, NV 10/11/2017 PEDRO, OH 11/5/2017 SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, TX 11/14/2017 RANCHO TEHAMA RESERVE, CA 12/31/2017 LONG BRANCH, NJ
TABLE OF
CONTENTS
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund seeks to improve INTRODUCTION 3
our understanding of the causes of gun violence and
the means to reduce it – by conducting groundbreaking EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
original research, developing evidence-based policies,
and communicating this knowledge to the American METHODOLOGY 6
public. Learn more at www.everytownresearch.org.
FINDINGS 7
NINE-YEAR OVERVIEW: 2009 TO 2017 7
DATA SPOTLIGHT: 2017 8
PROHIBITED PURCHASERS 12
WARNING SIGNS 14
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY 16
VIOLENCE-RELATED INCIDENTS
HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES 18
CONCLUSION 20
Sutherland Springs, TX INTRODUCTION
11/5/2017
“I thought it was firecrackers at first, and when those bullet holes started coming through
the door, it was obvious it wasn’t. I stood up and I was hollering for people to get down on
the floor, get on the floor, and one caught me in the forearm and actually threw me down
on the floor. As I laid there, what was going through my mind is, ‘it doesn’t seem to stop,
it just keeps going on and on.’”1
This is a description from a survivor of the Second, there were several other warning
November 5, 2017 mass shooting at First Baptist signs that the shooter posed a dangerous
Church in Sutherland Springs, TX. In less than risk. According to law enforcement, his social
10 minutes, the shooter fired hundreds of media posts indicated an interest in both mass
rounds of ammunition from outside and inside shootings and assault rifles.10,11 And, in the week
the church,2 killing 25 people and an unborn before the shooting, a neighbor of the shooter
baby and injuring 20 more.3 A video camera in in New Braunfels, TX reported hearing bursts of
the church – intended to record services for the rapid gunfire from his property every morning:
church’s YouTube page4 – captured the shooter “A load of rounds that would always be going off
walking up and down the center aisle, firing [at] this time…I was concerned because it was so
into each row of pews where victims tried to close to our house.”12
hide.5 By the time the gunfire ended, it became
the deadliest mass shooting in modern Texas Third, in addition to the shooter having a history
history, and one of the five deadliest mass of domestic violence, he appears to have
shootings in modern U.S. history.6 targeted his wife’s family in the attack. After
remarrying in 2014, investigators claim he sent
When it comes to mass shootings in the U.S. – threatening text messages to his mother-in-law
incidents in which four or more people are in the lead up to the shooting and may have
shot and killed, not including the shooter – targeted First Baptist Church because it was her
the shooting at First Baptist Church fits many place of worship.13,14 His mother-in-law was not
familiar patterns. in the church at the time of the shooting, but
his grandmother-in-law was. She was one of
First, the shooter was prohibited from purchasing the 25 victims shot and killed.15
or possessing a firearm. In 2012, while serving
in the U.S. Air Force in New Mexico, the shooter Finally, the shooter was armed with a semi-
was charged with numerous assaults, including automatic rifle that was equipped with high-
for threatening his ex-wife with a loaded gun. He capacity magazines. In fact, investigators
ultimately was convicted of striking and choking found 15 empty magazines in the church,
his ex-wife, and for striking his infant stepson so each capable of holding 30 bullets.16 This
hard he fractured his skull.7,8 These convictions suggests that the shooter fired at least
should have prohibited him from purchasing 450 rounds during the attack.
and possessing firearms, but the Air Force did
not properly relay the records of his conviction
to the federal background check database system.9
2 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 31.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The findings in this report BACKGROUND CHECKS
reaffirm the value of
Mass Shootings in the United States is an annual report published ON ALL FIREARM SALES TO
gun violence prevention
by Everytown for Gun Safety to better assess the reality of policies that address the PREVENT PROHIBITED PEOPLE
mass shootings in the U.S. and to identify policies that could circumstances that frequently FROM BUYING GUNS
prevent these tragedies. While mass shootings continue to underlie mass shootings.
2.
devastate the nation in 2018, this report gives a comprehensive These policies include: RED FLAG LAWS
look into the mass shootings tracked by Everytown from 2009
until the end of 2017.
THAT ALLOW FAMILY MEMBERS
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO
Everytown’s analysis revealed the following: SEEK THE TEMPORARY REMOVAL
OF GUNS FROM INDIVIDUALS
From 2009 to 2017, there were at least 173 mass shootings
WHO HAVE EXHIBITED RECENT
in the U.S.
DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR
2017 was the deadliest year on record for mass shootings.
3.
There were four times as many people shot in mass shootings STRONG DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LAWS
in 2017 than the average of the eight years prior.
THAT KEEP GUNS AWAY FROM ABUSERS
In at least one-third of mass shootings, the shooter was
legally prohibited from possessing firearms at the time
4.
of the shooting.
RESTRICTIONS ON THE PURCHASE,
half of mass shootings, the shooter exhibited warning signs
In
POSSESSION, AND MANUFACTURE
indicating that they posed a danger to themselves or others
before the shooting. OF HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES
THAT LIMIT THE ROUNDS OF
The majority of mass shootings were related to domestic
AMMUNITION SHOOTERS CAN
or family violence. These incidents were responsible for
86 percent of mass shooting child fatalities. FIRE WITHOUT RELOADING
ass shootings that involved the use of high-capacity
M
magazines resulted in more than twice as many fatalities
and 14 times as many injuries on average compared to
those that did not.
IN 34% OF IN 51% OF 54% OF 58% OF
MASS SHOOTINGS, MASS SHOOTINGS, MASS SHOOTINGS MASS
THE SHOOTER THE SHOOTER WERE RELATED SHOOTINGS
34% WAS PROHIBITED
FROM POSSESSING
FIREARMS.
51% EXHIBITED
WARNING SIGNS
BEFORE THE
TO DOMESTIC
OR FAMILY
VIOLENCE.
54% INVOLVED
HIGH-CAPACITY
MAGAZINES.
58%
SHOOTING. Everytown acquired
data on magazine capacity
in 60 incidents. Incidents
in which magazine capacity is
4 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis unknown have been excluded. 5METHODOLOGY FINDINGS
NINE-YEAR OVERVIEW
Everytown defines a mass shooting as an incident in which four or more people,
not including the shooter, are killed with a firearm.
To identify the 173 mass shootings included in this analysis, Everytown compiled data
from media reports, police and court records, and publicly available databases for every
identified mass shooting between 2009 and 2017.17 Everytown’s researchers requested
official police and court records for all 173 mass shootings and acquired records that By tracking mass shootings across America, Everytown identified
contained data of interest to this analysis for 77 incidents. 173 mass shooting incidents that occurred between 2009 and 2017.
The vast majority of incidents – 59 percent – took place entirely in private
The objective of Everytown’s mass shooting database is to track, investigate, and analyze homes (102 incidents).
the nature of multi-victim shootings in the U.S. To that end, this annual report includes
mass shooting incidents that occur in both public and private spaces, have any number In nine years, mass shootings resulted in at least 1,793 people shot,
of shooters, and result from a myriad of motives (including but not limited to random including 1,001 people shot and killed and 792 shot and injured. One in
acts of violence, domestic or family violence, incidents connected to terrorist activity, five victims were children under the age of 18. In addition to the victims,
and group violence). The casualty and injury figures discussed in this report include only at least 70 shooters also died by suicide after perpetrating a mass
victims of gunshot wounds and do not include the perpetrator. shooting, and another 17 were killed by responding law enforcement.
MASS SHOOTING INCIDENTS BY YEAR
2009 - 2017
30
Chicago, IL
4/14/2010
24 24
22 21
20
18 18
15 15 16
10
0
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
6 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 72017 WAS THE DEADLIEST YEAR
ON RECORD FOR MASS SHOOTINGS
DATA SPOTLIGHT: 2017
IN THE U.S.
Mass shootings made Through the end of 2017,
national headlines several Everytown identified 18
times throughout 2017. mass shooting incidents.
Only six days into the year, DEATHS AND INJURIES IN MASS SHOOTINGS BY YEAR These mass shootings
a shooting at Florida’s Fort 2009 - 2017 resulted in 611 people
Lauderdale–Hollywood shot, including 159 shot
International Airport left injured killed and killed and 452 shot
five dead and six injured.
Later in the year, the Las 452 and injured. The mass
shooting death toll of
Vegas, NV shooting at the 2017 surpassed every
Route 91 Harvest Festival other year in this analysis,
shocked the nation with 58 making 2017 the deadliest
people killed and 413 more 400 year on record for mass
left with gunshot wounds – shootings in the U.S.
the highest death toll from In fact, in 2017, mass
a mass shooting the country LAS VEGAS, NV shootings resulted in four
has seen in modern times. 58 KILLED times as many people
Only one month later, shot than the average of
413 INJURED
25 people were shot and the eight years prior.18
killed and 20 were shot While this report includes
and injured in a shooting 200 only incidents in which
at a church service in
50 35 76
multiple victims were shot
Sutherland Springs, TX –
nine of which belonged to
83 15 56
and killed, mass shooting
databases that include
three generations of the 20 5 incidents in which multiple
same family – adding to an victims were shot but
already staggering toll. But survived put the number
most mass shootings do not
make national headlines. 0
122 73 115 112 112 66 119 123 159 of mass shooting incidents
in the hundreds each year.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
8 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 9Las Vegas, NV 10/1/2017
PROHIBITED PURCHASERS
1. MANY SHOOTERS 3.5M
BACKGROUND CHECKS HAVE BLOCKED OVER 3.5 MILLION SALES TO
PEOPLE WITH FELONY CONVICTIONS, DOMESTIC ABUSERS, FUGITIVES,
AND OTHER PEOPLE PROHIBITED BY LAW FROM HAVING GUNS
WERE PROHIBITED of the shooting.19 Background checks are the
foundation of a comprehensive approach to gun
violence prevention. The federal background
check system is designed primarily to enforce
endangerment for abducting a former girlfriend
and holding her hostage at gunpoint. As a
result of the conviction, he was prohibited from
buying and possessing firearms.24 If the shooter
FROM POSSESSING
legal prohibitions and keep guns out of the hands had tried to purchase a firearm at a licensed
of people who should not have them. Under gun dealer, a background check would have
federal law, licensed dealers are required to run stopped the sale. But neither Federal nor West
a background check at the point of sale to Virginia law requires background checks for gun
identify prohibited buyers and stop the sale. sales involving sellers who are not licensed gun
FIREARMS
This process is effective: since the system was dealers. So the shooter found a 9mm handgun
established in 1994, background checks have listed for sale on Facebook and purchased it
blocked over 3.5 million sales to people with felony from a fellow West Virginian who had posted
convictions, domestic abusers, fugitives, and other the ad.25 He used the gun to shoot and kill four
people prohibited by law from having guns.20 people: a business rival, an ex-girlfriend and her
boyfriend, and his cousin. Finally, the shooter
But federal law does not cover sales by unlicensed used the same gun to shoot and kill himself.
sellers, enabling criminals and other prohibited
Federal law has long recognized that it is the wrong hands is particularly evident in people to buy guns with no background check A background check is only as good as the
dangerous for felons, domestic abusers, or mass shootings. In at least one-third of mass and no questions asked – including from people records in the FBI’s National Instant Criminal
those with serious mental illnesses to have shootings (59 incidents), the shooter was legally they meet through online marketplaces. This Background Check System (“NICS”) – the system
guns. The harm posed when guns get into prohibited from possessing firearms at the time loophole for unlicensed sales makes it easy that enables a quick determination on whether
for millions of guns to change hands each year a prospective gun buyer is eligible to buy
without a background check.21 In fact, one study firearms – and the submission of those records
estimated that 22 percent of gun owners acquired largely falls on state courts and law enforcement
their most recent firearm without a background agencies. While closing loopholes in the current
check.22 At the time of publication, 20 states federal system can further prevent firearms from
and Washington, D.C. had acted to close this making their way into the hands of prohibited
dangerous loophole by requiring background purchasers, every missing record presents a
checks on all handgun sales.23 public safety danger. In the past 10 years, 35
1/3
states have improved records reporting by
In the absence of laws that close the passing new reporting laws and 16 states have
IN AT LEAST ONE-THIRD OF MASS SHOOTINGS, unlicensed sale loophole, criminals and
THE SHOOTER WAS LEGALLY PROHIBITED FROM improved existing laws.26 An Everytown analysis
other prohibited people can easily avoid found that states with mental health reporting
POSSESSING FIREARMS AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTING background checks simply by buying guns laws submitted more than twice as many records
from unlicensed sellers – including strangers per capita as states without the laws.27 Despite
they meet online. progress, there are likely hundreds of thousands
This is exactly how a convicted felon was able of prohibiting records that remain missing from
to buy the firearm he used to shoot and kill four NICS.28 Without a background check system
people on December 1, 2014 in Morgantown, that is complete with all necessary records,
WV. Years before the shooting, he had been prohibited people – including those who are
convicted of felony kidnapping and wanton at very high risk of violence – will continue to
be able to purchase firearms without restriction.
12 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 13WARNING SIGNS Orlando, FL
2. THERE WERE
7/12/2016
OFTEN WARNING
SIGNS BEFORE
MASS SHOOTINGS
In the aftermath of a mass shooting, survivors, not limited to recent acts, attempted acts, The case of the shooter at Pulse nightclub in Red Flag Laws empower law enforcement or
the community, and policymakers try to or threats of violence towards oneself or Orlando, FL serves as a clear example of the lives family members to petition a court for an order
understand whether the shooting could have others; convictions for certain firearms that could be saved if family members and law to temporarily restrict a person’s access to guns
been prevented. In pursuit of this goal, experts offenses; a violation of a protective order; enforcement recognize and act on red flags prior if the court finds that they pose a significant
who study mass shootings and other acts of or evidence of ongoing substance abuse.30 to such tragedies. On July 12, 2016, the shooter risk of using them to harm themselves or
mass violence have identified certain dangerous fatally shot 49 people and injured 53 more at Pulse, others. A person subject to a Red Flag Law,
behaviors that can serve as warning signs that In half of mass shootings the shooter exhibited an LGBTQ nightclub in Orlando. Before the attack, sometimes called an extreme risk protection
an individual is a risk to themselves or others.29 at least one red flag in the three years prior warning signs pointed to his potentially dangerous order, or “ERPO,” is prohibited from possessing
In this analysis, these “red flags” include, but are to the shooting.31 behavior. His ex-wife had alleged that he was or purchasing firearms and is required to
physically violent towards her: “He would just come relinquish their guns while the order is in effect.
home and start beating me up because the laundry At the time of publication, 13 states had Red
wasn’t finished or something like that.”32 A recent Flag Laws on the books,34 including eight that
colleague of the shooter said, “He was an angry passed them in 2018 alone.35 However, despite
51%
IN 51% OF MASS person, violent in nature…I saw it coming…He said research showing the impact of these laws in
he was going to kill a whole bunch of people.”33 reducing gun deaths,36,37 ERPOs remain largely
SHOOTINGS, THE SHOOTER underutilized.38,39 Because family and household
EXHIBITED DANGEROUS The fact that so many mass shooters members are often the first to see warning signs,
WARNING SIGNS BEFORE displayed warning signs prior to their acts the effectiveness of Red Flag Laws depends on
of violence highlights the opportunities public awareness and thorough implementation
THE SHOOTING to intervene and prevent these tragedies. of the law.
Red Flag Laws are one such opportunity.
14 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 15DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE-RELATED INCIDENTS
3. DOMESTIC AND
FAMILY VIOLENCE 86%
86% OF CHILDREN KILLED
IN MASS SHOOTINGS DIED
IN DOMESTIC OR FAMILY
VIOLENCE-RELATED INCIDENTS
IS A DRIVING FACTOR
IN MASS SHOOTINGS
Among the victims of domestic violence mass Sheena’s story is not unique. The connection However, only 16 states and Washington,
54%
shootings are eight members of Sheena between mass shootings and domestic violence D.C. require abusers subject to final domestic
4 IN AT LEAST 54% OF Godbolt’s family and community. Sheena lived may be explained, in part, by the role guns violence restraining orders to turn in their guns.49
MASS SHOOTINGS, in Lincoln County, MS with her abusive husband. play in domestic violence generally. In fact, a
Over the years, Sheena’s family had pressed majority of women killed by an intimate partner Evidence shows that when these laws are on
THE PERPETRATOR SHOT the books and enforced properly, they work
charges against her husband several times. In of homicide experienced prior physical abuse
AN INTIMATE PARTNER to reduce domestic violence-related homicides.
2015, he made threats to kill one of Sheena’s and were often threatened with a weapon in
OR FAMILY MEMBER aunts. Over the next year the violence got worse, the relationship.45,46 Approximately 4.5 million State laws that prohibit individuals subject to
and after he punched and strangled her, Sheena American women alive today report that they domestic violence-related restraining orders
filed a temporary protective order. He was also have been threatened with a gun by an intimate from possessing firearms and also require
The majority of mass shootings in the U.S. are
charged with domestic violence and aggravated partner.47 And the presence of a gun often turns them to relinquish their firearms are associated
related to domestic or family violence. In at
assault but the charges were dropped. Even if domestic abuse fatal – access to a gun in a with a 10 to 12 percent lower intimate partner
least 54 percent of mass shootings (94 incidents),
he had been convicted of domestic violence, domestic violence situation makes it five times homicide rate, and a 14 to 16 percent lower
the perpetrator also shot a current or former
Mississippi state law does not prohibit domestic more likely that a woman will be killed.48 intimate partner firearm homicide rate.50,51 States
intimate partner or family member. Between
abusers from having firearms.42 with laws that prohibit firearm possession by
2009 and 2017, at least 491 people were shot
Because of the risk that firearms pose those convicted of any violent misdemeanor
and killed as a result of mass shootings related
Then on Memorial Day weekend of 2017, when they intersect with domestic violence, – not exclusive to domestic violence – are
to domestic or family violence.
Sheena’s husband shot and killed her mother, a series of federal and state laws are in place associated with a 23 percent reduction in
When American children die by gun homicide, her older sister, her aunt, her cousin and her to help keep guns out of the hands of domestic the intimate partner homicide rate and a 21
they often die in incidents connected to domestic cousin’s husband, her pastor’s grandson, abusers. The strongest state laws prohibit percent reduction in the intimate partner
or family violence.40 Mass shootings are no another young boy, and a responding officer.43 domestic abusers and stalkers from buying or firearm homicide rate.52 Because the majority
exception – 86 percent of the 224 children killed “As we were jumping the fence and running possessing guns, require background checks of mass shootings involve domestic or family
in mass shootings in the past nine years have through the woods, I was hearing gunshots, for all gun sales, and create processes to violence, laws that reduce domestic violence
died in an incident connected to domestic or gunshots, gunshots,” Sheena recalled. “That ensure that abusers and stalkers relinquish gun homicides may also be effective at preventing
family violence.41 was my last time seeing my family.”44 guns already in their possession. mass shootings.
16 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 17HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES MASS SHOOTINGS INVOLVING
4. MASS SHOOTINGS
HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES (HCMs)
no HCM HCM
INVOLVING HIGH-
4.6
Average deaths
per incident
HCMs KILLED 2X
CAPACITY MAGAZINES
10.1
AS MANY PEOPLE
RESULT IN MORE
1.3
Average injuries
per incident
HCMs INJURED 14X AS MANY PEOPLE
DEATHS AND INJURIES
19.0
0 5 10 15 20
It is no coincidence that the deadliest mass Of the 60 incidents in which information on The 2009 Fort Hood shooter – who shot and A study of mass shootings found that states with
shootings in this analysis all involved the use magazine capacity was available, over half – killed 13 people and injured 32 more – specifically restrictions on magazine size experience mass
of high-capacity magazines (Las Vegas, Orlando, 58 percent – involved firearms with HCMs.54 sought out HCMs in preparation for his attack. shootings at half the rate of states without the
Newtown, Sutherland Springs, San Bernardino). A witness to the shooter’s purchase at a Killeen, restrictions.58 According to Dr. Michael Siegel, a
High-capacity magazines (HCMs) – defined as Of mass shootings with known magazine capacity TX gun dealer reported, “He gave me two researcher at Boston University, “Whether a state
capable of holding more than 10 rounds of data (60), those that involved the use of HCMs specifications. He said he wanted the most has a large capacity ammunition magazine ban
ammunition – allow a shooter to fire more rounds resulted in over twice as many fatalities and 14 technologically advanced weapon on the market, is the single best predictor of the mass shooting
without pausing to reload. The more rounds a times as many injuries per incident on average and the one with the highest magazine capacity.”57 rate in the state.”59 Currently, eight states and
shooter can fire consecutively, the more gunshot compared to those without.55 Even after removing Washington, D.C. restrict the manufacture,
wounds they can inflict during the October 2017 shooting in Las Vegas, HCMs Restricting the manufacture, transfer, and transfer, or possession of HCMs.60
an attack.53 still resulted in nearly twice as many fatalities and possession of HCMs can reduce the number
six times as many injuries.56 of mass shootings.
“WHETHER A STATE HAS A LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION MAGAZINE BAN IS THE SINGLE BEST PREDICTOR
OF THE MASS SHOOTING RATE IN THE STATE."
18 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 19CONCLUSION 26 Alabama (Code of Ala. §§ 22-52-10.8, 22-52-10.9); Alaska (Alaska Stat. §§
44.41.045, 47.30.907); Arizona (A.R.S. §§ 13-609, 14-5304, 36-540); California (Cal
41 Between 2009 and 2017, at least 224 children under the age of 18 have been
killed in mass shootings. At least 193 of those children have been killed in mass
Pen Code § 28220; Cal Wel & Inst Code § 8100, et seq.); Colorado (CRS 13-5-142, shooting incidents related to domestic or family violence.
Mass shootings have a devastating impact on our communities – from the victims killed, 13-9-123, 18-4-412); Delaware (16 Del. C. § 5161(b)(13)-(14); 11 Del. C. 1448A(m);
42 Mitchell J. Two-thirds of Mississippi's mass shootings linked to domestic
29 Del. C. 9017(c); 11 Del. C. 8509); Florida (Fla. Stat. § 790.065); Georgia (O.C.G.A.
to the surviving witnesses and community members, to the public at large. In order §§ 16-11-172, 35-3-34(e); Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 140-2-.17); Hawaii (HRS 334-
violence. The Clarion-Ledger. June 2, 2017. https://goo.gl/MViuUg.
to prevent such tragic violence in the future, we must understand how and why these 60.5(j); HRS 560:5-311(d)); Idaho (Idaho Code §§ 67-3003; 66-356); Illinois (430 43 Jeltsen M. Portrait of an American Mass Shooting. Huffington Post. October 7,
ILCS 65/3.1(e)(2); 430 ILCS 65/8.1(b); 405 ILCS 5/6-103.1; 740 ILCS 110/12 (b)); 2017. https://bit.ly/2yyImgS.
incidents unfold. Indiana (Ind. Code Ann. §§ 11-10-4-3(e), 12-26-6-8(g); 12-26-7-5(c), 33-24-6-3(a)
44 Id.
(8), 35-36-2-4(e), 35-36-2-5(f), 35-36-3-1(c), 11-10-4-3(e)); Iowa (Iowa Code 724.31);
The true picture of mass shootings in the U.S. is different than headlines suggest. While Kansas (K.S.A. §§ 75-7c25(1), 59-2966, 59-29b66); Kentucky (KRS 237.108(1)); 45 Campbell JC, Webster D, Koziol-McLain J, et al. Risk factors for femicide in
Louisiana (La. R.S. § 13:753); Maine (34-B M.R.S. § 3864(12); 25 M.R.S. § 1541(3) abusive relationships: results from a multisite case control study. American Journal
there are prominent attacks in public places, the majority of these shootings occur in the (C)); Maryland (Md. PUBLIC SAFETY Code Ann. § 5-133.2); Massachusetts (ALM GL of Public Health. 2003;93(7):1089-1097.
home – between spouses, partners, and family members. The events documented in this ch 6, section 167A; ALM GL ch 123, section 35; ALM GL ch 123, § 36C; ALM GL
ch 215, § 56C); Minnesota (Minn. Stat. § 253B.24); Mississippi (Miss. Code Ann.
46 Nicolaidis C, Curry MA, Ulrich Y, et al. Could we have known? A qualitative
analysis of data from women who survived an attempted homicide by an intimate
report were not inevitable. Policymakers across the country should address the gaps that §§ 45-9-103, 9-1-49); Missouri (§§ 630.140 (5); 552.030(7); 43.503(6)-(7) R.S.Mo.);
partner. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2003;18(10):788-794.
Nebraska (R.R.S. Neb. § 69-2409.01); Nevada (Nev. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 174.035(9);
make it too easy for dangerous individuals to arm themselves. This includes requiring 175.533(3); 175.539(4); 178.425(6); 433A.310; 159.0593(1); 179A.163(1)); New 47 Sorensen S, Schut R. Nonfatal gun use in intimate partner violence: A systematic
background checks on all firearm sales, temporarily removing firearms through Red Flag Jersey (N.J. Stat. §§ 30:4-80.10, 30:4-24.3a); New Mexico (NM Stat Ann. 34-9-19); review of the literature. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse. 2018 Oct;19(4):431-442.
New York (NY CLS Men Hyg §§ 7.09; 13.09; 31.11; 33.13.); North Carolina (N.C.
Laws, keeping guns out of the hands of domestic abusers, and restricting the purchase, Gen. Stat. § 14-409.43); North Dakota (N.D. Cent. Code 62.1-02-01.2); Oklahoma
48 Campbell JC, Webster D, Koziol-McLain J, et al. Risk factors for femicide in
abusive relationships: results from a multisite case control study. American Journal
possession and manufacture of high-capacity magazines. (21 Okl. St. § 1290.27(A)); Oregon (ORS § 181A.290); Pennsylvania (18 Pa.C.S.
of Public Health. 2003;93(7):1089-1097.
6111.1(f)(3)); Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws § 40.1-5-8); South Carolina (S.C. Code
Ann. § 23-31-1020); South Dakota (S.D. Codified Laws §§ 23-7-47-48, 27A-10- 49 California (Cal. Penal Code §§ 29805, 29810); Colorado (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-6-
24); Tennessee (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 16-10-213; 16-11-206; 16-16-120; 33-3- 801(8)(a)(I)(B)); Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 29-36K(a)); Hawaii (Haw. Rev. Stat.
For a complete list of the mass shootings included in this analysis, please visit 115; 33-3-117); Texas (Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 411.052; 411.0521); Vermont (13 VSA § 134-7(g), 134-7.3(b)); Illinois (730 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 5/5-6-3(a)(9)); Iowa (Iowa Code
4824, 18 VSA 7617a); Virginia (Va. Code Ann. §§ 37.2-819, 19.2-390, 19.2-169.2); § 724.26(4)); Louisiana (La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 1002(A)(2)(a)); Maryland (Md.
the appendix at: https://every.tw/2AYt8QC Washington (Rev. Code Wash. (ARCW) § 9.41.047); West Virginia (W. Va. Code § Crim. Proc. Code § 6-234(D)); Massachusetts (Mass. Gen. Laws ch 140, §§ 129B(4),
61-7A et seq.); Wisconsin (Wis. Stat. § 175.35(2g)(d)(1); Wis. Stat. §§ 51.20(13)(cv) 129D, 131(f)); Minnesota (Minn. Stat. §§ 609.2242, subd. 3(f), (g), (h), 609.749,
(4), 51.45(13)(i)(1), 54.10(3)(f); 55.12(10)). subd. 8(d)); Nevada (Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 200.485(9), 202.360; 2017 NV S 124, § 5);
New Jersey (N.J. Stat. § 2C:25-27(c)(1)); New York (N.Y. Penal Law §§ 265.00(17),
27 Everytown for Gun Safety. Fatal gaps: How the Virginia Tech shooting
400.00(11)); Pennsylvania (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6105(a)(2)); Rhode Island (R.I. Gen.
prompted changes in state mental health records reporting. https://goo.gl/
Laws § 11-47-5.4); Tennessee (Tenn. Code § 39-13-111(c)(6)); Washington, D.C.
XoWWAZ. July 2018.
(D.C. Code §§ 7-2502.09(a)(1), §7-2502.03(a)(4)(D), 7-2502.10).
28 Id.
1 Spriester S, Medina M. 700 rounds in 11 minutes: Sutherland Springs survivor 17 Because of the reliance on media reports for much of these data, disparities 50 Zeoli AM, McCourt A, Buggs S, Frattaroli S, Lilley D, Webster DW. Analysis of
says he’s amazed he’s alive. KSAT. February 5, 2018. https://bit.ly/2FVboen. in local media coverage may lead to an undercount of incidents. 29 Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy. Guns, public health, and mental the strength of legal firearms restrictions for perpetrators of domestic violence
illness: An evidence based approach for state policy. http://bit.ly/SFWP1q. and their associations with intimate partner homicide. American Journal of
2 Spriester S, Medina M. 700 rounds in 11 minutes: Sutherland Springs survivor 18 Mass shootings in 2017 resulted in 159 people shot and killed and 452 people
Epidemiology. 2018 Nov 1;187(11):2365-2371.
says he’s amazed he’s alive. KSAT. February 5, 2018. https://bit.ly/2FVboen. shot and injured, compared to 105 shot and killed and 43 shot and injured per 30 For this analysis, dangerous behaviors that would qualify as a “red flag”
year on average from 2009 to 2016. include any of the following, if observed within three years of the shooting: a 51 Díez C, Kurland RP, Rothman EF, et al. State intimate partner violence-related
3 Goldman A, Pérez-Peña R, Fernandez M. Texas church shooting video shows
recent threat of violence, act of violence or attempted act of violence towards firearm laws and intimate partner homicide rates in the United States, 1991-2015.
gunman’s methodical attack, official says. New York Times. November 8, 2017. 19 Federal and state laws prohibit people from possessing firearms for a
self or others; a conviction for certain firearms offenses (including unlawful and Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017 Oct 17;167(8):536-543.
http://nyti.ms/2Akf3v4. number of reasons, including felony convictions, domestic violence misdemeanor
reckless use, display or brandishing); a violation of a protective order; evidence
convictions, some domestic violence restraining orders, and certain serious 52 Zeoli AM, McCourt A, Buggs S, Frattaroli S, Lilley D, Webster DW. Analysis of
4 Garcia A. A look inside Sutherland Springs’ First Baptist Church before mass of ongoing abuse of controlled substances or alcohol.
mental illnesses, among other reasons. Everytown reviewed media reports and the strength of legal firearms restrictions for perpetrators of domestic violence
shooting. KSAT. November 5, 20177. https://bit.ly/2IMDnuG.
available court documents to determine if shooters were likely prohibited from 31 Everytown was able to gather red flag data on 152 of 173 mass shootings. and their associations with intimate partner homicide. American Journal of
5 Briscoe M, Shah B. Texas church gunman walked up and down aisles, shooting possessing firearms under federal or state law. Incidents in which warning sign data are unknown have been excluded from Epidemiology. 2018 Nov 1;187(11):2365-2371.
as people crawled out of pews. The Daily Beast. November 6, 2017. http://thebea. this calculation.
20 Karberg JC, Frandsen RJ, Durso JM, Buskirk TD, Lee AD. Background Checks 53 Koper C, Woods D, Roth J. Report to the National Institute of Justice, United
st/2AoS1UA.
for Firearm Transfers, 2015 - Statistical Tables. Bureau of Justice Statistics. https:// 32 Goldman A, Warrick J, Bearak M. ‘He was not a stable person’: Orlando States Department of Justice. An updated assessment of the Federal Assault
6 CNN Library. Deadliest mass shootings in modern US history fast facts. CNN. goo.gl/SbaLbt. November 2017. Data for 2016 and 2017 were obtained by shooter showed signs of emotional trouble. The Washington Post. June 12, 2016. Weapons Ban: impacts on gun markets and gun violence, 1994 - 2003. http://bit.
Last updated May 23, 2018. http://cnn.it/2EuyUtO. Accessed October 8, 2018. Everytown from the FBI directly. Though majority of the transactions and denials http://wapo.st/2ljMvy1. ly/2vBTGTX. Published June 2004.
reported by FBI and BJS are associated with a firearm sale or transfer, a small
7 General Court-Martial Order No. 10 for Airman First Class Devin P. Kelley. 33 Perez E, Prokupecz S, Choichet CE, Hume T. Omar Mateen: Angry, violent 54 Everytown acquired information on the type of magazine used in 60 incidents.
number may be for concealed carry permits and other reasons not related to
Department of the Air Force, Headquarters Twelfth Air Force, Davis-Monthan Air ‘bigot’ who pledged allegiance to ISIS. CNN. June 14, 2016. http://cnn.it/1UQA2I5. Incidents in which magazine capacity was unknown have been excluded.
a sale or transfer.
Force Base, January 14, 2013. https://goo.gl/beY3hH.
34 California (Cal. Penal Code § 18100, et. seq.); Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. 55 The 35 incidents with confirmed use of high-capacity magazines resulted in
21 Miller M, Hepburn L, Azrael D. Firearm acquisition without background checks:
8 Blinder A, Philipps D, Oppel RA. In 2012 assault, Texas gunman broke skull of § 29-38c); Delaware (10 Del. Code § 7701, et seq.); Florida (Fla. Stat. § 790.401); 10.1 deaths and 19 injuries per incident on average, compared to the 4.6 deaths
results of a national survey. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2017 Feb 21;166(4):233-239.
infant stepson. New York Times. November 6, 2017. https://nyti.ms/2zgP5Md. Illinois (430 Ill. Comp. Stat. § 67/1, et seq.)); Indiana (Ind. Code § 35-47-14-1, et and 1.3 injuries on average that resulted from the 25 incidents confirmed to have
22 Id. seq.); Maryland (Md. Pub. Safety Code § 5-601, et seq.); Massachusetts (Mass. not included the use of high-capacity magazines.
9 Montgomery D, Oppel RA, Del Real JA. Air Force error allowed Texas gunman to
Gen. Laws ch. 140, §§ 121, 129B(C), 131(C), 131R-Z); New Jersey (N.J. Stat. §
buy weapons. New York Times. November 6, 2017. https://nyti.ms/2AcBP80. 23 California (Cal. Penal Code §§ 27540, 27545, 28220, 28050); Colorado (Colo. 56 After excluding Las Vegas due to its anomalously high toll, the 34 incidents
2C:58-23); Oregon (Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.525, et seq.); Rhode Island (RI Gen. Laws §
Rev. Stat. §18-12-112); Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 29-33(c), 29-37a(d)); with confirmed use of high-capacity magazines resulted in 8.7 deaths and 7.4
10 Grinberg E, McLaughlin EC. Texas church shooter Devin Patrick Kelley’s 8-8.3-1, et seq.); Vermont (Vt. Stat. tit. 13, § 4051, et seq.); Washington (Wash. Rev.
Delaware (Del. Code tit. 11, § 1448B(a)); Hawaii (Haw. Rev. Stat. §134-2); Iowa injuries per incident on average.
troubled past emerges. CNN. November 8, 2017. https://cnn.it/2HEYE8d. Code § 7.94.010, et seq.).
(Iowa Code § 724.15); Illinois (430 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 65/2, 65/3); Maryland (Md.
57 Huddleston, S. Hasan sought gun with ‘high capacity magazine.’ My San
11 Id. Pub. Safety Code § 5-124(a)); Massachusetts (Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 140, § 128A); 35 DE, FL, IL, MD, MA, NJ, RI, VT
Antonio. October, 21, 2010. https://goo.gl/NtfkNL.
Michigan (Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 28.422, 28.426); Nebraska (Neb. Rev. Stat. §§
12 Id. 36 Everytown for Gun Safety. Red Flag Laws: Helping prevent mass shootings.
69-2403, 69-2404, 69-2411); Nevada (Nev. Rev. Stat. § 202.254); New Jersey (N.J. 58 Petulla S. Here is 1 correlation between state gun laws and mass shootings.
https://goo.gl/rmZTPi. July 16, 2018.
13 Yan H, Stapleton A, Simon D. Authorities: Texas church shooter had three Stat. § 2C:58-3(a), (b)); New York (N.Y. Penal Law § 400.00(4); N.Y. Gen. Bus. Law CNN. October 5, 2017. https://cnn.it/2J4sWCC. Authors of this study defined mass
gunshot wounds. CNN. November 7, 2017. https://cnn.it/2GTmAYD. § 898(1)); North Carolina (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-402(a)); Oregon (Or. Rev. Stat. § 37 Everytown for Gun Safety. Red Flag Laws and firearm suicide prevention. shootings as incidents with three or more victims.
166.435); Pennsylvania (18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 6111(c)); Rhode Island (R.I. Gen. Laws https://goo.gl/6JKWxn. October 30, 2018.
14 Siemaszko C, Johnson A. Texas church shooter had ‘a purpose and a mission’ 59 Id.
§§ 11-47-35(a)(2), 11-47-35.2(b)); Vermont (Vt. Stat. tit. 13, § 4019); Washington
in family feud, investigator says. NBC News. November 6, 2017. https://nbcnews. 38 Gerber M. A landmark 2016 law praised as an 'unbelievably powerful tool'
(Wash. Rev. Code § 9.41.113). 60 California (Cal. Penal Code § 32310); Colorado (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 18-12-302(1));
to/2Ap7mo7. against gun violence remains scarcely used. Los Angeles Times. September 19,
Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 53-202w(b)-(c)); Hawaii (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 134-8(b));
24 Mayo B. Police: West Virginia shooter held personal, professional grudges. 2018. https://goo.gl/268MoL.
15 Yan H, Stapleton A, Simon D. Authorities: Texas church shooter had three Maryland (Md. Crim. Law Code § 4-305(b)); Massachusetts (Mass. Gen. Laws ch.
Pittsburgh Action News. December 2, 2014. https://goo.gl/YgvL13.
gunshot wounds. CNN. November 7, 2017. https://cnn.it/2GTmAYD. 39 Friedman GR. Shots Not Fired: A new Oregon law takes guns from people who 140, § 131M.); New Jersey (N.J. Stat. § 2C:39-3(j)); New York N.Y. Penal Law §§
25 UPDATE: No charges for seller who sold gun to WV killer. WTAP. December 8, may do harm. The Oregonian. June 17, 2018. http://s.oregonlive.com/2js953k. 265.10(1)-(3), (6); 265.36); Vermont (Vt. Stat. tit. 13, § 4021(a)); Washington, D.C.
16 Hanna J, Yan H. Sutherland Springs church shooting: What we know. CNN.
2014. https://goo.gl/XTXbMq. (D.C. Code § 7-2506.01(b)).
November 7, 2017. https://cnn.it/2HlsfV6. 40 Fowler KA, Dahlberg LL, Haileyesus T, Gutierrez C, Bacon S. Childhood firearm
injuries in the United States. Pediatrics. 2017;140(1):e20163486.
20 Mass Shootings in the United States: 2009 to 2017 everytownresearch.org/reports/mass-shootings-analysis 21EVERYTOWNRESEARCH.ORG/ REPORTS/MASS-SHOOTINGS-ANALYSIS
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