Mass Shootings: Are We Focusing on the Right Thing?
Eric Kramer
Based on the news, it seems like mass shootings are occurring practically every day. While it is true that the rate of mass shootings in the U.S. has been steadily increasing over the past 30 years (1), mass shootings still result in only a small portion of total gun deaths in America (2). In cities like Baltimore, citizens are falling victim to gun violence in the streets on a daily basis, however these tragedies get little mass media coverage. On the other hand, it seems Americans are in a state of paralytic fear at the thought of mass shootings. Widespread media coverage of these mass shootings has created huge debate over issues like guns and mental illness. Clearly, we all want to prevent these shootings from happening, but are we a) focusing on the right issue? and b) implementing the policies most likely to prevent these tragedies?
Our goal should be more broad: to reduce gun violence in America. By doing so, not only will be reduce mass shootings, but we will save countless more American lives by focusing on those that may fall victim to gun violence outside of a mass shooting. If your home was infested with hundreds of mice, but you kept seeing only the same two mice in the kitchen, would you only get rid of the two “troubling” mice, or would you want to get rid of them all? Hopefully, you thought ‘get rid of them all’. While not the perfect analogy, this idea still applies to gun violence. Why focus on the “troubling” mass shootings (where you will have minimal impact), when you could have a much bigger impact on reducing gun violence in America? How do we start
The solution starts with reframing the episodic depictions of mass shootings. Too often, mass shootings are blamed on people with mental illnesses. Policymakers then go on to advocate for better access to mental health treatment, largely ignoring the issue of gun control. In reality, not all mass shootings are done by individuals with mental illnesses. More generally, people with mental illnesses are not more dangerous or more prone to gun violence than the general population (3). Most people with serious mental illnesses are not violent, and the individuals that are, are responsible for only a small proportion of gun violence (2). In addition, people with mental illnesses are no more likely to carry guns than the general population (4).
Once we are more self-aware of news media depictions of mass shootings and how mental illness should not be blamed (as this could further stigmatize mental illness and prevent people from seeking treatment) (5), we can focus on the chief cause: guns. Several policies have actually proven to be effective in reducing gun violence in America, yet there has been little progress in translating these policies into federal law. These policies include permit-to-purchase laws, safe-storage laws, and “red-flag” laws (6). I will not go on to detail these laws, but briefly, requiring a permit (with an extensive background check) to purchase a gun, mandating firearms be stored in a safe way, and allowing for guns to be taken away from those deemed to be immediate dangers to themselves or others, have all shown to be effective ways of reducing gun violence (6). Together, in addition to investing into addressing social determinants of health and promoting health equity, these offer great potential for reducing gun violence.
We need to work together to end the gun violence epidemic in America. Go out and vote. Contact your representatives and express your anger that nothing is being done to stop people from dying from guns. Tell them you believe guns are at fault, and that we should not be blaming gun violence on people with mental illnesses. Instead, we should be helping and encouraging people with mental illnesses to seek treatment by destigmatizing mental illness. Reach out to your local gun violence advocacy groups and find out how you can help. Only together can we make a difference and take on gun rights groups like the NRA.
References
1. CDC. Stats of the States - Firearm Mortality. (n.d.). Retrieved October 12, 2019, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm.
2. Mcginty, E. E., Webster, D. W., Jarlenski, M., & Barry, C. L. (2014). News Media Framing of Serious Mental Illness and Gun Violence in the United States, 1997-2012. American Journal of Public Health, 104(3), 406–413. doi: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301557
3. Elbogen, E. B., & Johnson, S. C. (2009). The Intricate Link Between Violence and Mental Disorder. Archives of General Psychiatry, 66(2), 152. doi: 10.1001/archgenpsychiatry.2008.537
4. Swanson, J. W., Mcginty, E. E., Fazel, S., & Mays, V. M. (2015). Mental illness and reduction of gun violence and suicide: bringing epidemiologic research to policy. Annals of Epidemiology, 25(5), 366–376. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2014.03.004
5. Mcginty, E. E., Webster, D. W., & Barry, C. L. (2013). Effects of News Media Messages About Mass Shootings on Attitudes Toward Persons With Serious Mental Illness and Public Support for Gun Control Policies. American Journal of Psychiatry, 170(5), 494–501. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.13010014
6. Crifasi, C. (2018). Gun Policy in the United States: Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Gun Violence. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, 16(5), 579–581. doi: 10.1007/s40258-018-0413-