Analyzing the impact of concealed carry weapons and school resource officers on school shootings: An agent-based modeling approach.

This paper presents a simulation modeling study that examines the potential benefit of arming public school staff members with concealed carry weapons (CCWs) in combination with school resource officers (SROs) during active shooter events. By simulating real or hypothetical situations and altering various parameters, simulation modeling allows researchers to explore the potential factors that may influence the outcome of such situations. This study will analyze literature on active shootings to identify key characteristics that may impact the outcome of an event and will use an actual school active shooter event as a basis for developing a simulation model. The researchers will then introduce a CCW carrier and an SRO into the scenario to assess the potential impact and outcomes of such a change. The results of this study may inform the development of effective policies and procedures for addressing active shooter events in public settings.

A Statistical Analysis of the Impact of Gun Ownership on Mass Shootings in the USA Between 2013 and 2022.

Mass shootings (incidents with four or more people shot in a single event, not including the shooter) are becoming more frequent in the United States, posing a significant threat to public health and safety in the country. In the current study, we intended to analyze the impact of state-level prevalence of gun ownership on mass shootings-both the frequency and severity of these events. We applied the negative binomial generalized linear mixed model to investigate the association between gun ownership rate, as measured by a proxy (i.e., the proportion of suicides committed with firearms to total suicides), and population-adjusted rates of mass shooting incidents and fatalities at the state level from 2013 to 2022. Gun ownership was found to be significantly associated with the rate of mass shooting fatalities. Specifically, our model indicated that for every 1-SD increase-that is, for every 12.5% increase-in gun ownership, the rate of mass shooting fatalities increased by 34% (p value < 0.001). However, no significant association was found between gun ownership and rate of mass shooting incidents. These findings suggest that restricting gun ownership (and therefore reducing availability to guns) may not decrease the number of mass shooting events, but it may save lives when these events occur.

Prevalence and risk factors of depression in U.S. adults post mass shootings: evidence from population-based surveys of multiple communities.

OBJECTIVES: Mass violence incidents (MVIs) involving firearms, commonly referred to as "mass shootings" have become increasingly frequent in the United States. These shootings often result in immediate casualties and have far-reaching psychological impacts on survivors, witnesses, and the broader community. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of depression within affected communities. STUDY DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: Data were collected from six communities affected by MVIs involving firearms that occurred between 2015 and 2020. Participants were randomly selected through address-based sampling, and depression was assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) diagnostic-level major depressive episode (MDE). RESULTS: Overall, the MDE prevalence was 17·2% since the MVI, 15·4% in the past year, and 8·2% in the past month. Significant risk factors for MDE since MVIs include high exposure to the incident (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1·32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 19-1·60), being aged 18-29 years (aRR = 2·52, 95% CI: 1·61-3·95), being a woman (aRR = 1·58, 95% CI: 1·27-1·96), having low social support (aRR = 1·80, 95% CI: 1·46-2·22), and experiencing past sexual or physical trauma (aRR = 2·20, 1·52-3·19). CONCLUSION: Our study reveals a high burden of depression within communities affected by MVIs involving firearm use. Persons with high exposure to the MVIs and certain demographic groups had greater risks for MDE. These findings highlight the long-term mental health burden in communities affected by MVIs and underscore the necessity of providing mental health services in its aftermath.

A Critical Appraisal of a University's Response to a Campus Mass Shooting: Perspectives from Public Health Students and Researchers at Michigan State University.

Mass shootings are a public health crisis and have become more frequent on U.S. university campuses over the past decade, with the number doubling since 2000. Due to this alarming trend, many institutions have developed response strategies for active shooting events. Yet, the extent to which these response strategies address the needs and minimize harm for students, faculty, and staff has not been evaluated critically after a campus mass shooting. Michigan State University (MSU) experienced a mass shooting on February 13, 2023. Before, during, and 6 months following this tragedy, the university employed an estimated 18 strategies to inform, support, and protect its students, faculty, and staff. While MSU continues to address concerns and roll out programs related to this event, here we aimed to (1) create a timeline of resources and communication provided by MSU from the event to 6 months post-event; (2) critically evaluate the extent to which these resources met the needs of students, faculty, and staff through a survey among persons involved in public health research; and (3) identify potential areas for improvement in the university's responses. We used an online survey where participants (n = 10) rated the university responses and provided additional comments. From our survey, we recommend that, in the event of a campus shooting, other universities are attentive to re-engaging with the community within which the university is situated, holding communal events on campus, offering pauses in classes, and enhancing mental health services. These responses were seen as crucial to re-establish campus life and learning.

Emergency Preparedness Drills for Active and Mass Shootings in Schools.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: There is widespread use of emergency preparedness drills in public K-12 schools across the US, but considerable variability exists in the types of protocols used and how these practices are conducted. This review examines research into both "lockdown drills" and "active shooter drills" as it relates to their impact on participants across different outcomes and evaluations of their procedural integrity. RECENT FINDINGS: A number of studies on lockdown drills yielded largely consistent findings about their impacts, whereas findings related to the effects of active shooter drills are less uniform. The research also demonstrated that lockdown drills, though not active shooter drills, can help participants build skill mastery to be able to successfully deploy the procedure. Differences in how drills impact participants and whether they cultivate skill mastery are largely attributable to the type of drill being conducted. This review suggests that employing clearly defined drill procedures incorporating best practices, coupled with instructional training, can help schools prepare for emergencies without creating trauma for participants.

Defining the Problem: 53 Years of Firearm Violence Afflicting America's Schools.

BACKGROUND: Firearm violence and school shootings remain a significant public health problem. This study aimed to examine how publicly available data from all 50 states might improve our understanding of the situation, firearm type, and demographics surrounding school shootings. STUDY DESIGN: School shootings occurring in the US for 53 years ending in May 2022 were analyzed, using primary data files that were obtained from the Center for Homeland Defense and Security. Data analyzed included situation, injury, firearm type, and demographics of victims and shooters. We compared the ratio of fatalities per wounded after stratifying by type of weapon. Rates (among children) of school shooting victims, wounded, and fatalities per 1 million population were stratified by year and compared over time. RESULTS: A total of 2,056 school shooting incidents involving 3,083 victims were analyzed: 2,033 children, 5 to 17 years, and 1,050 adults, 18 to 74 years. Most victims (77%) and shooters (96%) were male individuals with a mean age of 18 and 19 years, respectively. Of the weapons identified, handguns, rifles, and shotguns accounted for 84%, 7%, and 4%, respectively. Rifles had a higher fatality-to-wounded ratio (0.45) compared with shooters using multiple weapons (0.41), handguns (0.35), and shotguns (0.30). Linear regression analysis identified a significant increase in the rate of school shooting victims (ß = 0.02, p = 0.0003), wounded (ß = 0.01, p = 0.026), and fatalities (ß = 0.01, p = 0.0003) among children over time. CONCLUSIONS: Despite heightened public awareness, the incidence of school shooting victims, wounded, and fatalities among children has steadily and significantly increased over the past 53 years. Understanding the epidemic represents the first step in preventing continued firearm violence in our schools.

School Shootings in the United States: 1997-2022.

OBJECTIVES: Gun violence in the United States is a public health crisis. In 2019, gun injury became the leading cause of death among children aged birth to 19 years. Moreover, the United States has had 57 times as many school shootings as all other major industrialized nations combined. The purpose of this study was to understand the frequency of school-related gun violence across a quarter century, considering both school shootings and school mass shootings. METHODS: We drew on 2 publicly available datasets whose data allowed us to tabulate the frequency of school shootings and school mass shootings. The databases contain complementary data that provide a longitudinal, comprehensive view of school-related gun violence over the past quarter century. RESULTS: Across the 1997-1998 to 2021-2022 school years, there were 1453 school shootings. The most recent 5 school years reflected a substantially higher number of school shootings than the prior 20 years. In contrast, US school mass shootings have not increased, although school mass shootings have become more deadly. CONCLUSIONS: School shootings have risen in frequency in the recent 25 years and are now at their highest recorded levels. School mass shootings, although not necessarily increasing in frequency, have become more deadly. This leads to detrimental outcomes for all the nation's youth, not just those who experience school-related gun violence firsthand. School-based interventions can be used to address this public health crisis, and effective approaches such as Multi-Tiered Systems of Supports and services should be used in support of students' mental health and academic and behavioral needs.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Depression and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder After a Mass Shooting.

This cross-sectional study examines the self-reported mental health outcomes of adults 4 years after witnessing and surviving the shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Discrepancies in Mass Shootings and Access to Trauma Care Across the United States, 2014-2018.

INTRODUCTION: The United States has one of the highest rates of gun violence and mass shootings. Timely medical attention in such events is critical. The objective of this study was to assess geographic disparities in mass shootings and access to trauma centers. METHODS: Data for all Level I and II trauma centers were extracted from the American College of Surgeons and the Trauma Center Association of America registries. Mass shooting event data (4+ individuals shot at a single event) were taken from the Gun Violence Archive between 2014 and 2018. RESULTS: A total of 564 trauma centers and 1672 mass shootings were included. Ratios of the number of mass shootings vs trauma centers per state ranged from 0 to 11.0 mass shootings per trauma center. States with the greatest disparity (highest ratio) included Louisiana and New Mexico. CONCLUSION: States in the southern regions of the US experience the greatest disparity due to a high burden of mass shootings with less access to trauma centers. Interventions are needed to increase access to trauma care and reduce mass shootings in these medically underserved areas.

Epidemiology of Mass Shootings in the United States.

This in-depth review delves into the multifaceted realm of mass shootings and explores their epidemiology from a psychological perspective. The article presents a comprehensive examination of the prevalence, perpetrator and victim profiles, motives, and contributing factors associated with mass shootings. By investigating the intricate relationship between masculinity, domestic violence, military service, social media, fame-seeking, suicidal ideation, mental illness, and firearms, this article sheds light on the multifaceted nature of mass shootings. Moreover, it discusses the importance of implementing effective prevention strategies to address this growing public health concern. The findings from this review serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, policy makers, and the community at large, facilitating a deeper understanding of mass shootings and fostering the development of evidence-based solutions to prevent these tragic incidents.

Firearm-Related Violence in the Pediatric Population.

Children, particularly adolescents, are dying from firearm-related injuries. Screening for firearms, early recognition of firearm-related concerns, appropriate referrals, and follow-up are crucial to the safety of our patients and their families. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to address firearm-related violence during clinical encounters. Risk reduction, advocacy, and policy implementation are key in mitigating the long-term negative sequelae of firearm violence in youth. The epidemiology of firearm-related death, mass shootings, school firearm violence, adolescent health, prevention, injury patterns, postinjury care, policy, and resources are all discussed in this article. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(1):e28-e33.].

A classification of combined homicide-suicide: An update-Part III: Extrafamilial homicide-suicide.

The subclassification of homicide-suicide into psychopathology and intrafamilial homicide-suicides having been presented in the foregoing Parts I and II, this Part III concerns extrafamilial homicide-suicides. Extrafamilial homicide-suicides are divided into adversarial, autogenic mass, cult, and terrorist homicide-suicides. Adversarial homicide-suicides involve a "formal" relationship between actor and homicide victims, further divided according to the role of the actor in their relationship as employee, current or former pupil/student as in school shootings, patient, and litigant. For comparison, school shootings were divided into those resulting in 10 or more homicide victims and those with fewer. The autogenic mass homicide-suicide, wherein victims are strangers to the actor, was heuristically bifurcated here depending on the number of homicide victims, 10 or more or fewer. As expected, the homicide-suicides with larger numbers of victims were more homogenous.

Post-event support as a critical element of crisis preparedness: Reflections from the Mass Casualty Commission.

Including post-event support planning as part of crisis preparedness is necessary to meet the emotional and psychological needs of those most affected. This necessarily requires engagement with health and community organization leaders best positioned to provide immediate, short- and long-term post-event supports as part of the response planning for a crisis. Drawing on the findings of the Mass Casualty Commission, the public inquiry tasked with investigating Canada's worst mass shooting, the critical role of post-event supports is explored as a critical element of crisis preparedness.

Characteristics and Obtainment Methods of Firearms Used in Adolescent School Shootings.

Importance: Within gun violence research, the types of firearms involved in US school shootings and the origins of these weapons have not been well explored. Objective: To examine the type, make, and power of firearms involved in school-related gun violence as well as the sources and methods through which adolescents obtained these weapons. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used descriptive statistics and logistic regression to analyze 253 school shootings executed by 262 adolescents (aged ≤19 years) in the US from January 1, 1990, to December 31, 2016, and to calculate adjusted estimates for missing cases. The data were sourced from The American School Shooting Study (TASSS), which compiles information about these shooting events from open-source materials. Data analysis was performed from June 23, 2023, to July 20, 2023. Exposures: Firearm type, make, and power. Main Outcomes and Measures: The firearm type refers to whether a weapon was a handgun, rifle, or shotgun. The firearm's make differentiates semiautomatic or fully automatic guns from other action mechanisms. The firearm's power refers to the caliber and velocity, distinguished as small, moderate, or higher power. The acquisition source captures from whom the firearm was received. The obtainment method refers to how the shooter obtained the firearm. Estimates were adjusted by total number of documents and TASSS reliability score as well as neighborhood demographic, socioeconomic, and land use variables measured at the census tract level, and were weighted to account for item nonresponse. Results: A total of 262 adolescents (mean [SD] age, 16.2 [1.9] years; 256 [97.8%] male) were studied. In the adjusted analyses, handguns were the most used weapon in school shootings (85.5%; 95% CI, 80.6%-89.4%). Firearms were predominantly lower (37.0%; 95% CI, 29.9%-44.7%) or moderate (39.7%; 95% CI, 32.0%-47.8%) in power. Adolescents mainly obtained their guns from relatives (41.8%; 95% CI, 31.7%-52.6%), friends or acquaintances (22.0%; 95% CI, 13.2%-34.5%), the illegal market (29.6%; 95% CI, 19.3%-42.5%), strangers or persons who were shot (4.7%; 95% CI, 1.8%-11.6%), or licensed dealers (1.9%; 95% CI, 0.7%-5.2%). Most firearms were procured via theft from relatives (82.1%; 95% CI, 69.4%-90.3%). Conclusions and Relevance: Despite the more frequent use of lower to moderately powered firearms in school shootings, this study's results indicated stability in the use of high-powered weapons in adolescent school shootings throughout the research timeframe. A majority of the firearms were procured from the perpetrator's family or relatives or from friends or acquaintances. These findings may significantly influence discussions around gun control policy, particularly in advocating for secure firearm storage to reduce adolescents' access to weapons.

Mass Shootings Anxiety Scale: A preliminary psychometric study.

Mass shootings have caused many to feel anxious and afraid of this seemingly common event. Therefore, the objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the properties of the Mass Shootings Anxiety Scale (MSAS), which is a five-item scale that was based on 759 adults. The MSAS demonstrated solid reliability (α and ω of 0.93), factorial validity (PCA and CFA support), and convergent validity (e.g., correlations with functional impairment and drug/alcohol coping). The MSAS also measures anxiety equivalently across gender, political orientation, and gun violence exposure groups. The MSAS not only discriminates well between persons with and without dysfunctional anxiety, using a cut score of ≥10 (92% sensitivity and 89% specificity), but also demonstrates incremental validity by explaining 5% to 16% additional variance in important outcomes beyond sociodemographics and posttraumatic stress. These preliminary results support the MSAS as a valid screening tool for clinical practice and scholarly inquiry.

De Columbine a Suzano: uma análise sócio-histórica de atentados escolares / From Columbine to Suzano: a socio-historical analysis of school shootings / De Columbine a Suzano: un análisis sociohistórico de los ataques a escuelas / De Columbine à Suzano: une analyse socio-historique des attentats scolaires

Apesar dos 11 atentados escolares registrados no Brasil, os debates acadêmicos sobre o assunto ainda são escassos. O objetivo deste ensaio foi identificar as categorias histórico-sociais que permeiam a formação da singularidade dos infratores. Consultamos os materiais publicados pela mídia sobre os atentados brasileiros e as categorias encontradas na literatura internacional sobre o tema. Nossa análise fundamentou-se na perspectiva marxista, destacando as condições sociais, históricas e materiais nas quais os atentados ocorreram. Apontamos a socialização masculina, a relação com grupos de extrema direita e a reprodução da violência estrutural como configurações histórico-sociais fundamentais. Identificamos, também, que a destruição dos postos de trabalho e a assimilação da noção de indivíduo neoliberal agravam a cisão entre as dimensões coletivas e particulares, produzindo sujeitos que reproduzem a competitividade do mercado como régua para outras relações. O processo de precarização da escola pública a torna um alvo dos atentados, devido à ruptura que estabelece entre sujeito, educação e trabalho

Despite the eleven school shootings registered in Brazil, academic debate on the subject is still scarce. This essay sought to identify the historical-social categories that inform the offenders' singularity. We consulted media materials about the Brazilian shootings and the categories found in the international literature. Based on a Marxist analysis, we highlight the social, historical and material conditions of the attacks. Male socialization, association with far-right groups and reproduced structural violence emerge as fundamental historical-social configurations. Moreover, job precarization and the assimilation of the neoliberal individual aggravate the split between collective and private dimensions, producing subjects that use market competitiveness as a measure for other relations. The precarization of public school makes it a target of attacks due to the break it establishes between the subject, education and work

Se han registrado 11 ataques a escuelas en Brasil, pero todavía los debates académicos son escasos. El objetivo de este ensayo fue identificar las categorías históricas y sociales que median la formación de la singularidad de los infractores. Consultamos los materiales publicados por los medios de comunicación sobre los ataques brasileños y las categorías encontradas en la literatura internacional sobre el tema. Nuestro análisis se basó en la perspectiva marxista, destacando las condiciones sociales, históricas y materiales en las cuales ocurrieron los ataques. Apuntamos a la socialización masculina, la relación con los grupos de extrema derecha y la reproducción de la violencia estructural como las configuraciones histórico-sociales fundamentales. Identificamos también que la destrucción de las posibilidades de trabajo y la asimilación de la noción del individuo neoliberal agravan la separación entre las dimensiones colectivas y particulares, produciendo sujetos que reproducen la competitividad del mercado como regla para otras relaciones. El proceso de precarización de la escuela pública la pone en mira de los ataques, debido a la ruptura que hay entre sujeto, educación y trabajo

Malgré les onze attentats scolaires enregistrés au Brésil, le débat académique sur le sujet est encore rare. Cet essai a cherché à identifier les catégories socio-historiques qui informent la singularité des contrevenants. Nous avons consulté des documents médiatiques sur les attentats brésiliens et les catégories trouvées dans la littérature internationale. Sur la base d'une analyse marxiste, nous mettons en évidence les conditions sociales, historiques et matérielles des attentats. La socialisation masculine, l'association avec des groupes d'extrême droite et la violence structurelle reproduite apparaissent comme des configurations socio-historiques fondamentales. De plus, la précarisation du travail et l'assimilation de l'individu néolibéral aggravent le clivage entre les dimensions collectives et privées, produisant des sujets qui utilisent la compétitivité du marché comme mesure pour d'autres relations. La précarisation de l'école publique en fait une cible pour les attentats dû à la rupture qu'elle établit entre le sujet, l'éducation et le travail

Effecting change in the aftermath of school shootings.

School shootings energize pro-gun advocates but better organized and more enduring gun control efforts could affect legislative change after such tragedies.

School shootings increase NRA donations.

The United States has experienced a tragic increase in school shootings in recent years. Despite substantial media attention being paid to such incidents and widespread support for stricter gun control measures, substantial legislative action remains absent, however. To make sense of this puzzle, this paper focuses on the mobilizing responses of gun rights supporters in the aftermath of such events. Using granular data from 225,000 donations to the NRA's political action committee in a difference-in-differences design, this study provides causal estimates showing substantial increases in both donation amounts and donor numbers after school shootings. These results provide insight into the counter-mobilizing responses of the pro-gun political right after shootings. In contrast to the typically transient nature of gun control movements, these counter-mobilizing responses are notably durable. The results of this study have important implications for our understanding of the complexities of, and obstacles to, gun regulation in the United States.