335 Mass Shootings, Fact or Overblown Myth?

Posted by Tina

Dewey keeps insisting that Americans (white Americans or Christian Americans or conservative Americans?) are a bigger threat than terrorists. He cites the number 335 “mass shootings” and seems to want an apology or something. Anyhoo, I decided to look into his claim and I discovered that a respected publication, The American Spectator had addressed this issue:

…Type “mass shootings” and “common” into a search engine and you’ll get all sorts of breathless commentary that might lead one to believe there Americans face a genuine epidemic of shooting rampages. A few headlines:

Vox: “Mass shootings on campus are getting more common and more deadly.”

ThinkProgress: “Mass Shootings Are Becoming More Frequent.”

NPR: “Study: Mass Shootings Are On The Rise Across U.S.”

Washington Post: “Why are mass shootings becoming more common?”

The truth, simply put, is that mass shootings —as horrible and nightmarish as they are — are very rare, constitute a tiny sliver of homicides, and are not becoming more frequent. The debate over how to respond to gun violence is controversial and unlikely to yield solutions that will satisfy everyone. That said, any efforts that intend to strike a balance between safety, self-defense, and civil liberties must take account of these inconvenient truths.

Homicide in America is far more common than it ought to be. But mass shootings — defined as four or more murders in the same incident — constitute a minuscule share of the total, as I discuss in “The Shooting Cycle” in the most recent edition of the Connecticut Law Review

The Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that from 2002-2011, 95 percent of total homicide incidents involved a single fatality, 4 percent involved two victims, 0.6 percent involved 3 victims, and only .02 percent involved four or more victims. Another study performed between 1976 and 2005 yields similar results — that less than one-fifth of 1 percent all murders in the United States involved four or more victims. In other words, the bottom line is that out of every 10,000 incidents of homicide, roughly two are mass killings.

Further, contrary to what the zeitgeist may suggest, mass shootings are not on the rise. Prominent criminologist James Alan Fox has found “no upward trend in mass killings” since the ’70s. Take campus statistics as an example: “Overall in this country, there is an average of 10 to 20 murders across campuses in any given year,” Fox told CNN (and roughly 99 percent of these reported homicides were not mass shootings). “Compare that to over 1,000 suicides and about 1,500 deaths from binge drinking and drug overdoses.” Mass shootings on college campuses lag far, far behind many much more prevalent social and mental health problems. (continues)

The article goes on to explain the psychology involved in believing the myth and cites statistics that add some perspective. For instance in one seventy-two-hour period 46 people were shot in Chicago and it failed to get much media attention. The LA Times reported on homicides in the first five months of 2014…there were 193 homicides in the city of LA in five months! And these murders keep happening month after month, year after year.

Dewey if you wish to be alarmed about something I suggest you start with a real epidemic. It’s happening in our inner cities. Gang related and black on black murder and violence have been tolerated and ignored. Families who are stuck living in these hell holes would appreciate a little concern from the progressive leadership and their hypocritical following.

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10 Responses to 335 Mass Shootings, Fact or Overblown Myth?

  1. Pie Guevara says:

    That fabricated, massively overblown statistic is actually 355 “mass shootings” in 2015 (not 335), but small matter.

    Dewey’s 355 figure is an invention that relies on an absurdly distorted notion of what constitutes a “mass shooting.” (This falls in line with 99.99% of the incomprehensible garbage Dewey spews in his consistently weird, convoluted, and ignorant tirades.) On occasion Dewey likes to mention Mother Jones as a truthful non-corporate news organ. Well, here is what Mother Jones editor Mark Folman has to say about that ridiculous 355 mass shootings in 2015 figure —

    “… we have compiled an in-depth, open-source database covering more than three decades of public mass shootings. By our measure, there have been four “mass shootings” this year, including the one in San Bernardino, and at least 73 such attacks since 1982.”

    Get that Dewey? FOUR.

  2. Steve says:

    Speaking of Chicago, it seems that black voters are getting fed up with the democratic lie machine. They want Rahm Emanuel gone. They are starting to see that the welfare state hasn’t served them very well.
    Times they are a changing…

    • J. Soden says:

      Why they elected Rahm twice still remains a mystery!
      Here’s hoping the changes just keep on a’comin’ but NOT the changes we received thanks to a community disorganizer.

  3. Dewey says:

    LOL

    Bigots refuse to look at their own

    a mass shooting is widely defined as an incident in which four or more people are shot.

    Sample of a few……
    Memphis, TN, Jan. 1, 2015 — Unknown fatalities, Five wounded

    The Associated Press reports that the shooting occurred when a gunman opened fire on a New Year’s Day party bus, resulting in two of the injuries being listed as “critical”.

    Dallas, TX, Jan. 4, 2015 — Three fatalities, One wounded

    CBS Dallas says the shooting, which occurred early on the morning of January 4, took place simultaneously with a “handful” of other shootings in Dallas, in which three other people died.

    San Francisco, CA, Jan. 9, 2015 — Four fatalities

    Four men were found shot in a vehicle in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley, according to the news site SFGate, after residents reported hearing upwards of 15 shots fired.

    Queens, NY, Jan. 24, 2015 — Four fatalities, One wounded

    A 34-year-old father was reported to have fired a .45-caliber gun at his family, killing four. The 9-1-1 call was made by his 12-year-old daughter, who had survived after being shot in the head, according to the New York Post.

    Troup County, GA, Jan. 29, 2015 — Five fatalities

    Police discovered five bodies inside a home in the evening hours of January 29, as they were performing a welfare check after one of the victims had been reported missing from work.

    King, NC, Feb. 4, 2015 — Four fatalities

    Investigators said the shooting deaths of four people, including a couple and their two sons, appeared to be a murder-suicide.

    Douglasville, GA, Feb.7, 2015 — Five fatalities, Two wounded

    At least two adults and two juveniles were killed when a gunman opened fire, killing five total, on a residential street in Douglasville, Georgia.

    Houston, TX, Feb. 25, 2015 — Three fatalities, Two wounded

    Investigators determined a group of men had intended to rob a man when they opened fire at a Duplex in Houston.

    Tyrone, MO, Feb. 27, 2015 — Eight fatalities, One wounded

    36-year-old Joseph Jesse Aldridge was found dead in a vehicle from an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound, but not before four family members and three other victims were killed.

    Atlanta, GA, Mar. 14, 2015 — Five wounded

    Five men were hospitalized after gunfire broke out in a suburb of Atlanta on March 14, with one local resident quoting, “It’s an everyday thing.”

    Stockton, CA, Mar. 17, 2015 — Three fatalities, Four wounded

    A drive-by shooting at Stockton Madison’s Market resulted in three deaths and four additional injuries, as witnesses described over 30 shots were fired.

    Indianapolis, IN, Mar. 24, 2015 — Four fatalities

    Three women and a man were shot multiple times inside a home that had been broken into and robbed, according to USA Today.

    Panama City Beach, FL, Mar. 28 — Seven wounded

    A spring break party ended with seven injuries, according to The Oregonian, after a 22-year-old man allegedly fired a .40-caliber handgun inside a home.

    Phoenix, AZ, Apr. 16, 2015 — Five fatalities

    Five family members died as the result of an apparent family dispute concerning the family business. The Washington Post reported the victims were three brothers, their mother, and one of their spouses.

    Gates, NY, Apr. 25, 2015 — One fatality, Six wounded

    This shooting, which took place at a bar in Gates, NY, resulted in the death of one man and the additional six injuries of other patrons.

    Menasha, WI, May 3, 2015 — Four fatalities, One wounded

    Police believe there was no specific target, and that a “random act” of violence resulted in four deaths on a bridge frequented by recreational enthusiasts in Wisconsin.

    Dayton, OH, May 4, 2015 — One fatality, Six wounded

    Some 100 people were partying at a residence on May 4 when gunfire broke out, claiming one life and wounding six others, while another individual was wounded in the leg a block away from the original scene.

    Tucson, AZ, May 12, 2015 — Five fatalities

    A family of five was found dead after investigators said it appeared a 25-year-old family member opened fire before turning the gun on himself.

    WACO, TX, May 17, 2015 — Nine fatalities, 18 wounded

    A shootout gained national attention when nine lives were lost as the result of a violent exchange between rival biker gangs, as well as police.

    Flint, MI, May 24, 2015 — Seven wounded

    The parking lot at Southwestern Academy was the scene in which seven people were shot as an apparent result of an argument between two people.

    Deer Lodge, MT, June 7, 2015 — Five fatalities

    A 59-year-old man was identified as having shot his family, including his wife and two young children, ages four and one. He had reportedly complained that his wife had been “mocking him and riding him”.

    Bronx, NY, June 13, 2015 — Five wounded

    A .40-caliber handgun was fired into a group of men, five of which sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

    Charleston, SC, June 17, 2015 — Nine fatalities

    Dylann Storm Roof, 21, was arrested after allegedly opening fire on a prayer meeting inside a Charleston, SC church, killing nine. Roof later confessed that he had wanted to ignite a “race war”.

    Philadelphia, PA, June 20, 2015 — 10 wounded

    Just three days after the nationally-noted Charleston tragedy, ten people were shot, including a baby, at a block party in Philadelphia. Two gunmen opened fire with a shotgun, before, witnesses say, they drove away, still firing out the window of their vehicle.

    Fort Wayne, IN, July 5, 2015 — Nine wounded

    The shooting appeared to have developed out of an altercation at a house party, according to police.

    Shreveport, LA, July 5, 2015 — Eight wounded

    Police said two groups were “loitering” in adjacent parking lots next to an intersection shortly before shots rang out.

    Cleveland, OH, July 15, 2015 — Seven wounded

    A late-night drive-by shooting resulted in a variety of wounded victims, including a 21-year-old woman being shot in the back.

    Chattanooga, TN, July 16, 2015 — Six fatalities, Two wounded

    Authorities say 24-year-old Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez opened fire on a military recruiting facility, killing, among others, four US Marines.

    Lafayette, LA, July 23, 2015 — Three fatalities, Nine wounded

    John Russell Houser was identified as having used a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun in a Lafayette movie theater, killing three attendees and wounding nine.

    Brooklyn, NY, Aug. 2, 2015 — Nine wounded

    Police say two gunmen opened fire into a crowd of over 100 people.

    Forth Worth, TX, Aug. 16, 2015 — Six wounded

    Six people were wounded when shots were fired at a center for weddings, receptions, quinceaneras and corporate meetings.

    Memphis, TN, Aug. 30, 2015 — One fatality, Four wounded

    The shooting took place in the early hours of August 30, in southwest Memphis.

    Greenwood, MN, Sept. 10, 2015 — Five fatalities

    Brian Scott Short, 45, used a shotgun to shoot his three teenaged children, as well as his wife, before turning the gun on himself.

    Inglis, FL, Oct. 1, 2015 — Three fatalities, One wounded

    One of the shootings that took place on October 1 occurred when police said a 57-year-old man opened fire on two people, and was fatally wounded in the process.

    Colorado Springs, CO, Oct. 31 — Four fatalities

    A shootout with officers ensued after a gunman had fired upon three victims on the street.

    Colorado Springs, CO, Nov. 27 — Three fatalities, Nine injured

    A police officer was among three killed when Robert Lewis Dear, 59, opened fire on a Planned Parenthood clinic.

    San Bernardino, CA, Dec. 2 — 14 fatalities, 17 wounded

    Two gunmen, and possibly a third, attacked a holiday party, in which 14 people were killed and at least 17 were injured.

    Right now we have Richard Deer the guy who Presidential Candidate (born in Canada) Rafael Cruz called a radical leftist….ya know the baby parts dude

    Bottom Line this conservative crap is showing it’s fascist underbelly. Violence is normal I guess

    I can dig up the whole list but am sure it will be published before new years……

    • Post Scripts says:

      Dewey, when you said bigoted people never look at their own, I sure hope you were not indicting all Black people? Because by your litmus test they would be called bigots. Is that what you really meant?

      • Pie Guevara says:

        Dewey’s statement “Bigots refuse to look at their own” is just more weird Dewey nonsense. It doesn’t have any meaning. He just wanted to toss out the word “bigot.”

        Bigot and fascist are Dewey’s favorite epithets.

    • Pie Guevara says:

      So, the perpetual LOL jackass who constantly calls those he disagrees with bigots, racists must also think that Mother Jones editor Mark Folman is a bigot and a fascist.

      Dewey, you are a mental wreck. The fact remains: there is no official criteria for “mass shooting.”

      The fascist is you Dewey, your way is the only way.

  4. Pie Guevara says:

    Post Scripts,

    The original article from Mark Follman I quoted above appeared in the NYT and can be read here —
    How Many Mass Shootings Are There, Really?

    Here is a different article that explains in detail Mother Jones magazine’s criteria for “mass shootings.” It is very informative and I highly recommend reading it —
    What Exactly Is a Mass Shooting?\

    Some excerpts from What Exactly Is a Mass Shooting? —

    … there is no official set of criteria or definition for a mass shooting, according to criminology experts and FBI officials who have spoken with Mother Jones.”

    Generally, there are three terms you’ll see to describe a perpetrator of this type of gun violence: mass murderer, spree killer, or serial killer. An FBI crime classification report from 2005 identifies an individual as a mass murderer if he kills four or more people in a single incident (not including himself), typically in a single location.

    [The Mother Jones Criteria]
    * The attack must have occurred essentially in a single incident, in a public place;

    *We excluded crimes of armed robbery, gang violence, or domestic violence in a home, focusing on cases in which the motive appeared to be indiscriminate mass murder;

    * The killer, in accordance with the FBI criterion, had to have taken the lives of at least four people.

    ***************

    I find Mother Jones criteria reasoned, thoughtful, and far more informative than Dewey’s overly simplistic “a mass shooting is widely defined as an incident in which four or more people are shot” which is, in fact, a bald faced lie. There is no official nor generally used number for mass shooting. That number applies to the criterion for mass murder by the FBI and, while arbitrary, has been used generally as a baseline by academics who study mass murder.

    I don’t expect Dewey to read this or any of the articles and believe he has neither the mental capacity nor interest to understand significance and value of the Mother Jones criteria. His only interest here is bashing conservatives and wagging his appendage. I just thought Post Scripts and your readers would find this interesting.

    By the way, Mother Jones magazine is a bastion of the far left. I subscribed to it for several years 30 odd years ago. Even though it is a rag of the extreme left, it has always had outstanding non-ideologically slanted reportage. I find it much more palatable than the screed sheets from other left wing journals, most of which — while informative about left-think and left-speak — are nauseating.

  5. Tina says:

    Dewey’s list undoubtedly includes: “…crimes of armed robbery, gang violence, or domestic violence in a home, focusing on cases in which the motive appeared to be indiscriminate mass murder.

    Dewey refuses to recognize too that these individual criminal acts are not part of an organized war effort by loosely affiliated cells and lone wolves.

    We could talk about crime, including murder, in America but it’s a separate issue.

    And Dewey…only a fascist would try to control what is talked about on someone else’s blog. Why not act like a free American entrepreneur and start your own!

    Fascism for kids: a system ruled by a dictator who controls the lives of the people and in which people are not allowed to disagree.

  6. Pie Guevara says:

    I just learned that the FBI has an Active Shooter Incidents designation —
    An active shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a populated area, and recent active shooter incidents have underscored the need for a coordinated response by law enforcement and others to save lives.
    Active Shooter Incidents

    In the first 7 years of the Active Shooter Incident study there were an average of 6.4 incidents/year. In the subsequent 7 years there were an average of 16.4 incidents per year. (See Fox News video on page linked below.)

    As a result of the study the FBI has spent two years developing a training program that centers on a training video —
    Active Shooter Response Training Video

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