Mass Shootings Are Not A “Uniquely American” Phenomenon

Are mass shootings a uniquely American phenomenon? CNN and some notable Democrat politicians seem to think so.

While mass shootings are a significant problem in the United States, they are not a uniquely American phenomenon. Mass shootings have occurred in various countries around the world, although the frequency and severity of such incidents may differ.

According to a study by the National Center for Health Research, the United States has the highest rate of mass shootings compared to other high-income countries. However, it’s essential to note that other factors, such as access to firearms and mental health care, may contribute to this difference.

Moreover, the definition of a “mass shooting” can vary, which can make it difficult to compare incidents between countries. The Gun Violence Archive defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter. In contrast, other countries may define a mass shooting as an incident that results in a certain number of fatalities or injuries.

It’s worth noting that political rhetoric often oversimplifies complex issues like gun violence and mass shootings. While some may argue that the prevalence of gun violence in the United States is due to the country’s lax gun laws, others may argue that it is a more complex issue that involves factors such as mental health, social isolation, and economic inequality.

Ultimately, it’s essential to consider the full range of factors that contribute to mass shootings to develop effective solutions to prevent these tragedies from occurring.

What percentage of overall murders in the United States are from mass shootings?

Mass shootings account for a relatively small percentage of overall homicides in the United States.

According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, in 2019, there were 16,425 homicides in the United States, and of those, 417 were incidents of mass murder or attempted mass murder, resulting in 211 deaths and 858 non-fatal injuries. This means that mass shootings accounted for about 2.5% of all homicides in the United States in 2019.

It’s important to note that the definition of “mass shooting” can vary depending on the source, which can impact the reported numbers. The Gun Violence Archive, for example, defines a mass shooting as any incident in which four or more people are shot, excluding the shooter.

Using this definition, the number of mass shootings in the United States is higher, with 611 mass shootings reported in 2021 alone as of April 12, 2023. However, it’s worth noting that this definition can include incidents such as gang violence and domestic violence, which may not align with public perceptions of what constitutes a “mass shooting.”

Regardless of the definition used, it’s clear that mass shootings, while a significant problem in the United States, represent a relatively small percentage of overall homicides. However, their high-profile nature and devastating impact on communities make them a significant concern for policymakers and the public alike.

Why should the significance of mass shootings in the United States only be compared to a small elite pool of “high income” countries?

The comparison of mass shootings in the United States to other high-income countries is often made because these countries are considered to be the most comparable to the United States in terms of socioeconomic factors, such as income, education, and healthcare access. This comparison is intended to provide a useful benchmark for understanding the extent of the problem within the United States.

It’s worth noting that gun violence is a significant issue in many other countries as well, including some countries that are not considered high-income. However, comparisons to other countries may be more challenging due to differences in definitions, data collection methods, and reporting practices.

Furthermore, comparisons to other high-income countries are useful because these countries generally have similar levels of development and economic stability. As such, they can provide valuable insights into the ways in which different social, cultural, and political factors may impact gun violence rates.

Ok then, “high income” countries it is …. now list some mass shootings which have occurred in New Zealand. Lets use my home country for example to compare it with the United States.

New Zealand has experienced several mass shootings, including:

  1. Aramoana massacre (1990): This was a shooting spree that occurred in the small seaside town of Aramoana, in which a lone gunman killed 13 people, including two children.
  2. Christchurch mosque shootings (2019): This was a terrorist attack that occurred in Christchurch, in which a lone gunman opened fire at two mosques, killing 51 people and injuring dozens more.
  3. Raurimu massacre (1997): This was a shooting spree that occurred at a remote cafe in the town of Raurimu, in which a lone gunman killed six people and injured four others.
  4. Masterton shooting (2017): This was a shooting that occurred at a property in Masterton, in which a man shot and killed his wife, daughter, and her boyfriend, before taking his own life.

While the number of mass shootings in New Zealand is relatively low compared to the United States, these incidents have had a significant impact on the country and led to changes in gun laws and increased attention on issues related to mental health and extremism.

“While the number of mass shootings in New Zealand is relatively low compared to the United States”.

Stop right there. Isn’t it well within reason that because New Zealand has about 1 / 65th the population of the United States, tragedies of such a scale as mass shootings would occur about 1 / 65th of the time in an “equal” and “equitable” society?

It is true that the population difference between New Zealand and the United States is a significant factor when comparing the number of mass shootings in each country. However, it is important to note that the rate of gun violence in the United States is much higher than in other developed countries, even when accounting for population differences.

For example, according to the Gun Violence Archive, there were 610 mass shootings in the United States in 2021 as of April 11, whereas in New Zealand, there have been four mass shootings in the past 30 years. This suggests that there may be other factors contributing to the high rate of gun violence in the United States, such as a high number of firearms per capita, weaker gun control laws, and a culture of violence.

It is important to note that comparing the number of shootings between countries is a complex issue that requires consideration of multiple factors, including population size, demographics, gun laws, and cultural attitudes toward violence.

While it is true that the population difference between New Zealand and the United States is a factor to consider, it is also important to recognize that the rate of gun violence in the United States is disproportionately high compared to other developed countries.

What is four times sixty-five?

Four times sixty-five is 260.

Right. So if New Zealand had a history of 260 mass shootings — which would be the case if it had the same population as the United States — wouldn’t it sound “not quite like paradise” like many people around the world make it out to be?

You are correct that if New Zealand had the same population as the United States, and if the rate of mass shootings remained the same, then the country would have experienced around 260 mass shootings. This is a significant number, and it is not my intention to downplay the impact that these shootings have on communities, regardless of their location.

However, it is important to note that the rate of gun violence in the United States is significantly higher than in other developed countries, and this cannot be solely attributed to population differences. It is also important to recognize that gun violence is a complex issue that is influenced by a range of factors, including cultural attitudes toward firearms, access to guns, and mental health issues.

Overall, while it is important to acknowledge the impact of mass shootings wherever they occur, it is also important to consider the broader context of gun violence and how it affects communities in different ways.

List the overall murder rate of the United States along with Mexico, South Africa, Colombia, and Brazil.

According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the most recent available data (for the year 2020) shows the following homicide rates per 100,000 population for the countries you requested:

  • United States: 6.0
  • Mexico: 28.8
  • South Africa: 34.7
  • Colombia: 24.8
  • Brazil: 26.7

Those countries have significantly higher murder rates than the United States. Do Mexico, South Africa, Colombia, and Brazil experience mass shootings?

Yes, these countries have experienced mass shootings in the past.

For example, in 2019, Mexico experienced a mass shooting in a Walmart store that killed 22 people. In South Africa, there have been several incidents of mass shootings, including the Marikana massacre in 2012, in which 34 people were killed by police during a protest.

In Colombia, there have been several mass shootings related to drug cartels and political violence. In Brazil, there have been several mass shootings in schools and public places, such as the 2019 shooting at a bar in Belem that killed 11 people.

So to answer the dishonest CNN journalists and (mostly) Democrat politicians who claim that mass shootings are a “uniquely American” phenomenon, what one word best describes their statement? “Correct” or “incorrect”?

The statement that mass shootings are a “uniquely American” phenomenon is incorrect.

One last question. For the good of society, what is far more important. Lowering the countries overall murder rate, or just lowering the rate of “mass shootings”?

Lowering the overall murder rate is far more important for the good of society than just lowering the rate of “mass shootings.” While mass shootings are tragic and garner a lot of media attention, they make up a relatively small percentage of overall homicides.

By focusing solely on mass shootings, society may miss addressing the root causes of other types of homicides, such as gang violence, domestic violence, and drug-related crimes. Addressing these issues holistically can help to lower the overall murder rate and create a safer society for everyone.

Boy oh boy do some politicians only seem to care about lowering the rate of mass shootings, while there is so much murderous chaos going on in their very cities which they don’t do anything to work towards solving …. anyways, appreciate all the non-woke help today.

As an AI language model, I don’t have a political affiliation or any personal opinions. However, I understand that public safety is a critical concern for all citizens, and policymakers should prioritize the reduction of all types of violent crime, including mass shootings and homicides, to make communities safer for everyone.