Technology and Gun Massacres

[Sonea 138]

I was originally researching what the impetus was for banning assault weapons (whether its a belief that it will reduce the quantity of mass shootings, or if it is the notion that the casualty rates of each mass shooting will drop......if you follow the logic of those opposed to assault weapons there is so no reason to believe the former) and I came across this old article with an interesting infographic towards the bottom.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/mass-shootings-in-america/?utm_term=.1a991b7507bb

 

Scroll down to the timeline with the violet hues for each massacre (it starts in the 1960s). This infographic was quite an eye opener for me because it shows a few trends that I haven't seen elsewhere.

 

No.1 - In recent history, when a mass shooting occurs it triggers a string of further attacks.

 

No.2 - This string of attacks doesn't happen through the entire history. In fact, it doesn't become pronounced until  the 1990s.

 

You can actually identify each of these strings which I highlight below:

 

1. Mid 1982 

 

2.  Mid 1984 

 

3.  Late 1991

 

4. 1993

 

5. Late 1997 / Early 1998

 

6. 1999

 

7. Late 2004 / Early 2005

 

8. Late 2007 / Early 2008

 

9. Mid 2010

 

10. Late 2012 and 2013

 

11. Late 2015 to Present.

 

A couple of things to note. The strings start in the 80s but not until 1997/1998 do they start to string over a year. The strings are getting longer, since 2012 they are now lasting multiple years. We have been in the same string for over two years now without a break.

 

One thing that aligns with the data is public internet access. I remember 1997/1998 being a period where many households were getting dialup. Likewise by 2012 mobile access was increasing heavily. Greater connectivity accelerates many things in the modern world, and I have to wonder if it has accelerated shootings as well.

 

 

Edited March 31, 2018 by Sonea

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

Guns have been in the homes of Americans for over 200 years.  

 

The biggest correlation I can see between mass shootings today is the lack of disciplining children.  Our society has gotten softer.

[Sonea 138]

14 hours ago, IDWAF said:

Guns have been in the homes of Americans for over 200 years.  

 

The biggest correlation I can see between mass shootings today is the lack of disciplining children.  Our society has gotten softer.

I am thinking a smaller percentage of the population was exposed to each attack prior to the late 1990s and therefore copy cat attacks couldn't occur at the same rate. I don't actually think American society is all that different from 30, 40, or 50 years ago. Infact, I would argue we are less violent today than in the 1980s, 70s or 60s.

[jg121783 3,915]

14 hours ago, IDWAF said:

Guns have been in the homes of Americans for over 200 years.  

 

The biggest correlation I can see between mass shootings today is the lack of disciplining children.  Our society has gotten softer.

You could also argue there is a correlation with the rise in the use of SSRIs.

[Voice of Reason 10,298]

There can't be one reason for it, but I think all 3 of these have merit.