Abstract
This chapter interrogates public understandings of mass shootings. First of all, gun violence statistics for the United States are compared with those in other developed countries. The varying definitions and trends of mass shooting are shown to be problematic in trying to gain an accurate understanding of the phenomenon. Discussed is the history of mass shootings in the United States from “going postal” attacks occurring in post offices and workplace massacres through to school shootings and mass shootings in public places. Possible reasons why the United States has the highest number of mass shootings are deliberated. Hofstede's often-quoted cultural model is used to discuss two national characteristics: high levels of individualism and low power distance between social groups. Other factors highlighted relate to Harding, Fox, and Mehta's model about influencers of school shootings, as well as notions of extreme masculinity which are often expressed via misogynistic behavior.
TopIntroduction
The purpose of this chapter is to explore understandings, definitions and trends pertaining to mass shootings. The first part looks at the trends around violence involving guns more generally in the United States and mass shootings. The United States is found to have a higher rate of gun violence than other Western countries (Grinshteyn & Hemenway, 2016; Naghavi et al., 2018). Out of the total number of gun deaths, mass shootings only represent a small fraction. In spite of this, gun violence prevention (GVP) interviewees noted that there seems to be the perception that these mass shootings have increased in recent years, likely due to news media coverage of high-profile incidents. The Las Vegas and Parkland shootings were said by interviewees to have had a noticeable positive effect on the GVP movement, showing how these atypical but high-profile events can have a wider influence.
The second part of this chapter reviews definitions, understandings and possible reasons for mass shootings. It is shown that there are conflicts about how to define mass shootings, making it difficult to determine trends. The history of mass shootings in modern day America is documented. Starting with the “going postal” attacks taking place in post offices in the 1980s (Ames, 2007; Baron, 2000), the discussion explores how shootings then progressed onto workplaces, schools and other locations. The final section explores some of the reasons why the United States may have the highest number of mass shootings in the world. A model by Harding, Fox and Mehta (2002) about five possible factors influencing school shootings is applied to mass shootings more generally. Hofstede’s (2001) cultural model is utilized to show the macro-level factors that could be influencing this trend. Lastly, extreme notions of masculinity are discussed in terms of their potential to be expressed in misogynistic behaviors seen in some mass shooters such as stalking and domestic violence.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Mass Shootings: An incident in which a perpetrator(s) uses a firearm(s) to enact harm against others. Definitions vary from at least four people (aside from the shooter) being killed to three or four other people being harmed.
Incels: This refers to a subculture of those who are involuntary celibate. Common features are expressing rage at women, having violent sexual fantasies and admiration for previous mass shooters.
Serial Murders: A series of homicides in which at least three murders are committed in different periods of time.
Spree Murders: Multiple murders committed over the time span of a few days or weeks.
Gun Violence: The term used to refer to the trend of gun-related deaths and injuries.
High Individualism: Taken from Hofstede’s cultural model this refers to a national characteristic predicated on a sense of self-importance, as well as gratification and privacy for individuals.
Going Postal: This phrase refers to an individual becoming extremely angry and committing violence. It originated from mass shooting attacks in post offices in the United States in the 1980s.
Cultural Script: This prescribes a particular course of action infiltrated into society through mass media reporting of previous mass shooting incidents.
Low Power Distance: A characteristic from Hofstede’s cultural model referring to an unequal distribution of power between social groups which is rarely challenged.