Research Connects Assault Weapons to Increased Fatalities in US Mass Shootings
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Synopsis
A recent study highlights that mass shootings involving assault weapons lead to more fatalities and injuries than those without them. The findings suggest policy changes could help prevent such tragedies.
Key Takeaways
- Mass shootings with assault weapons average 0.72 more deaths.
- 79% of mass shootings involve handguns.
- 11% of assault weapon users lack firearms experience.
- 47% of potential mass shooters disclose their plans.
- Policy suggestions include age restrictions and secure storage requirements.
Sacramento (United States), Feb 6 (NationPress) A new study indicates that mass shootings involving assault weapons lead to a higher number of fatalities and injuries than those without such firearms. This research, appearing in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open, analyzed 184 public mass shootings across the United States from 1966 to 2023, revealing that incidents where assault weapons were utilized resulted in an average of 0.72 additional deaths per event.
Handguns emerged as the predominant firearm type, present in approximately 79 percent of mass shootings. In contrast, assault weapons were involved in about 29 percent of these incidents, with only around 7 percent being exclusively linked to assault weapons, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Furthermore, the study uncovered that shooters armed with assault weapons generally possessed more firearms experience. Only 11 percent of those using assault weapons had no prior firearms experience, whereas nearly 30 percent of attackers with other weapon types lacked such experience.
The researchers highlighted potential prevention strategies for mass shootings, pointing out that in 47 percent of instances, potential shooters disclosed their intentions prior to the attacks.
The findings advocate for policies that regulate firearm access, such as age restrictions on assault weapons and secure storage mandates, which could mitigate mass shooting occurrences. The authors also underscored the significance of extreme risk protection orders, which facilitate the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed as threats.
The study classifies mass shootings as events resulting in four or more fatalities in a public setting, excluding the shooter, and not connected to other criminal activities.
