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Soft Targets and Crowded Places (ST-CP)
Mass Shooting Prevention and Research Library (MSPRL)
Mass Shooting Projects
Soft Targets and Crowded Places (ST-CP), Mass Shooting Prevention and Research Library (MSPRL) has several inherently public projects with user contributions and/or input aimed at addressing some of the perennial issues related to mass shootings.
The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of the information, we make no warranties or representations about its accuracy, completeness, or reliability. Any reliance you place on such information is strictly at your own risk.
That being said, we believe that our projects are beneficial to the general public. From merely being talking and/or thinking pieces to being outright calls for action, and everything in between, they serve a purpose. Our projects are derived directly from the issues that both fuel and polarize mass shootings, and everything in between.
Their content is not, and is not intended, to be etched in concrete. They are works in progress and always will be.
That’s our opinion and as always, we welcome yours.
Currently we’re working on three projects as follows:
—No Names – No Pictures Project
—All Mass Shootings Are Local Project
—Second Amendment Project
Our projects are collaborative, meaning we seek your input. When it comes to the complexity of mass shooting either individually or collectively, nobody has the answers. We certainly don’t. But we believe in-depth dialogue can be useful for rooting out mass shootings. Therefore, we welcome and need your input to fine tune them or overhaul them, or anything in between. We have installed sophisticated comment software on this page in the hope that visitors will do just that—comment. Depending on a host of external factors, existing visitor comments may or may not be visible, but rest assured, we see them all.
No Names – No Pictures Project
It is well known (and documented) that many mass shooters plan and execute their mass shooting to acquire notoriety, which is often confused with fame. “Notoriety” suggests being known, most often unfavorably, for negative actions; while “fame” implies a positive reputation or recognition. Whatever it’s called, it’s something mass shooters seek, often desperately, and it’s something that is fully within our control to deny them.
Our Mass Shooter No Names – No Pictures Project is a work in progress. It’s something we’ll keep working on and for.
Denying mass shooters notoriety is easy and costless. Just don’t name or picture them. We don’t. We never have. We never will. But getting the mass media to follow suit has proven to be nearly impossible. In the interest of what’s best for society, you’d think they would embrace it, but they largely won’t, probably because their material garners greater interest when they name and/or picture mass shooters. However, with each occurrence of them naming and/or picturing mass shooters, they’re cordially inviting the next mass shooting.
Current case in point: The Covenant School
Once these despicable people end up in jail and prision their orange jump suits will have an identifying number or alphanumeric characters. Why wait? Let’s assign them one immediately following their heinous deed.
Soft Targets and Crowded Places (ST-CP) – Mass Shooting Prevention and Research Library (MSPRL) has developed a mass shooter naming convention (completely absence of pictures) that we encourage others, particulary the mass media, to adopt. While still a work in progress, it’s currently very useable. We welcome suggestions for improving it. Obviously, our Mass Shooters No Names – No Pictures Project includes predominantly only mass shootings in our authoritative source database. However our format can be easily expanded or one like it easily adopted. We realize it’s just a starting point. We welcome bonafide like-minded organizations to partner with us to expand our format or develop a better approach. It seems a standardized universally adopted format would ultimately be best. We don’t need or want credit for it, we just want to deny what many mass shooters crave: notoriety.
Every mass shooting in our databases has been assigned a identification code. Future mass shooters will likewise be assigned an identification code immediatelky following a mass shooting.
The code is simple as follows:
MS – Mass Shooter.
Identification Number – Sequential five digit number.
Race/Ethnicity – W: White – B: Black – A: Asian – L: Latino – NA: Native American – O: Other – U: Unknown.
Gender – F: Female – M: Male.
Age.
Computations:
Total authoritative source mass shootings: 151.
Three (3) mass shootings involved two perpetrators
(Columbine High School,
Inland Regional Center (IRC), and
JC Kosher Supermarket)
for an additional three (3) mass shooter identification numbers.
We added two (2) mass shootings to the authoritative source total
(University of Texas Tower and
Walk of Death) for an additional two (2) mass shooter identification numbers.
Total mass shooter identification numbers: 156.
September 4, 2024
Apalachee High School MS-00156-W-M-14
Winder, Georgia
Killed: 4 – Injured: 9
June 21, 2024
The Mad Butcher Grocery Store MS-00155-W-M-44
Fordyce, Arkansas
Killed: 4 – Injured: 10
December 6, 2023
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) MS-00154-W-M-67
Las Vegas, Nevada
Killed: 3 – Injured: 1
October 25, 2023
Just-In-Time Recreation/Schemengees Bar and Grill MS-00153-W-M-40
Lewiston, Maine
Killed: 18 – Injured: 13
August 26, 2023
Dollar General MS-00152-W-M-21
Jacksonville, Florida
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
August 23, 2023
Cook’s Corner [Biker Bar and Restaurant] MS-00151-W-M-59
Trabuco Canyon, California
Killed: 3 – Injured: 6
July 3, 2023
Philadelphia Neighborhood MS-00150-B-M-40
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Killed: 5 – Injured: 2
May 15, 2023
Farmington, New Mexico, Neighborhood MS-00149-W-M-18
Farmington, New Mexico
Killed: 3 – Injured: 6
May 6, 2023
Allen Premium Outlets MS-00148-W-M-33
Allen, Texas
Killed: 8 – Injured: 7
April 10, 2023
Old National Bank MS-00147-W-M-25
Louisville, Kentucky
Killed: 5 – Injured: 9
March 27, 2023
The Covenant School MS-00146-W-F-28
Nashville, Tennessee
Killed: 6 – Injured: 6
February 13, 2023
Michigan State University MS-00145-B-M-43
Lansing, Michigan
Killed: 3 – Injured: 5
January 23, 2023
Half Moon Bay MS-00144-A-M-66
Half Moon Bay, California
Killed: 7 – Injured: 1
January 21, 2023
Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio MS-00143-A-M-72
Monterey Park, California
Killed: 11 – Injured: 9
November 22, 2022
Walmart Supercenter MS-00142-B-M-31
Chesapeake, Virginia
Killed: 6 – Injured: 4
November 19, 2022
Club Q MS-00141-W-M-22
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Killed: 5 – Injured: 18
November 13, 2022
University of Virginia (UVA) MS-00140-B-M-22
Charlottesville, Virginia
Killed: 3 – Injured: 2
October 13, 2022
Hedingham … Neuse River … Trail MS-00139-W-M-15
Raleigh, North Carolina
Killed: 5 – Injured: 2
July 17, 2022
Greenwood Park Mall MS-00138-W-M-20
Greenwood, Indiana
Killed: 3 – Injured: 2
July 4, 2022
Fourth of July Parade MS-00137-W-M-21
Highland Park, Illinois
Killed: 7 – Injured: 46
June 16, 2022
Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church MS-00136-W-M-70
Vestavia Hills, Alabama
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
June 9, 2022
Columbia Machine MS-00135-W-M-23
Smithsburg, Maryland
Killed: 3 – Injured: 1
June 1, 2022
Natalie Building – Saint Francis Hospital MS-00134-B-M-45
Tulsa, Oklahoma,
Killed: 4 – Injured: Unspecified
May 24, 2022
Robb Elementary School MS-00133-L-M-18
Uvalde, Texas
Killed: 21 – Injured: 17
May 14, 2022
Tops Friendly Market MS-00132-W-M-18
Buffalo, New York
Killed: 10 – Injured: 3
February 28, 2022
The Church of Sacramento MS-00131-W-M-39
Sacramento, California
Killed: 4 – Injured: 0
November 30, 2021
Oxford High School MS-00130-W-M-15
Oxford, Michigan
Killed: 4 – Injured: 7
May 26, 2021
Santa Clara … (VTA) Light-Rail Yard MS-00129-W-M-57
San Jose, California
Killed: 9 – Injured: 0
April 15, 2021
FedEx Warehouse MS-00128-W-M-19
Indianapolis, Indiana
Killed: 8 – Injured: 5
March 31, 2021
Office Complex MS-00127-W-M-43
Orange, California
Killed: 4 – Injured: 1
March 22, 2021
King Soopers Supermarket MS-00126-W-M-21
Boulder, Colorado
Killed: 10 – Injured: 0
March 16, 2021
Atlanta … Massage Parlor/Spas MS-00125-W-M-21
Atlanta, Georgia
Killed: 8 – Injured: 1
March 16, 2020
Kum & Go Convenience Store MS-00124-W-M-31
Springfield, Missouri
Killed: 4 – Injured: 0
February 26, 2020
Molson Coors Beverage Company MS-00123-B-M-51
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Killed: 5 – Injured: 0
December 10, 2019
JC Kosher Supermarket MS-00122-B-M-47 – MS-00121-B-F-50
Jersey City, New Jersey
Killed: 4 – Injured: 3
December 6, 2019
Naval Air Station Pensacola MS-00120-W-M-21
Pensacola, Florida
Killed: 3 – Injured: 8
August 31, 2019
Midland-Odessa MS-00119-W-M-36
Odessa, Texas
Killed: 7 – Injured: 25
August 4, 2019
Dayton Entertainment District MS-00118-W-M-24
Dayton, Ohio
Killed: 9 – Injured: 27
August 3, 2019
El Paso Walmart Supercenter MS-00117-W-M-21
El Paso, Texas
Killed: 23 – Injured: 26
Rank: 6—
July 28, 2019
Gilroy Garlic Festival MS-00116-W-M-19
Gilroy, California
Killed: 3 – Injured: 17
May 31, 2019
Virginia Beach Municipal Center MS-00115-B-M-40
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Killed: 12 – Injured: 4
February 15, 2019
Harry Pratt Company MS-00114-B-M-45
Aurora, Illinois
Killed: 5 – Injured: 6
January 24, 2019
State College MS-00113-W-M-21
State College, Pennsylvania
Killed: 3 – Injured: 1
January 23, 2019
SunTrust Bank MS-00112-W-M-21
Sebring, Florida
Killed: 5 – Injured: 0
November 19, 2018
Mercy Hospital MS-00111-L-M-32
Chicago, Illinois
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
November 7, 2018
Borderline Bar & Grill MS-00110-W-M-28
Thousand Oaks, California
Killed: 12 – Injured: 22*
October 27, 2018
Tree of Life Synagogue MS-00109-W-M-46
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Killed: 11 – Injured: 6
September 20, 2018
Rite Aid Distribution Center MS-00108-B-M-26
Perryman, Maryland
Killed: 3 – Injured: 3
September 12, 2018
Bakersfield MS-00107-L-M-54
Bakersfield, California
Killed: 5 – Injured: 0
September 6, 2018
Fifth Third Center MS-00106-L-M-29
Cincinnati, Ohio
Killed: 3 – Injured: 2
June 28, 2018
Capital Gazette MS-00105-W-M-45
Annapolis, Maryland
Killed: 5 – Injured: 2
May 18, 2018
Santa Fe High School MS-00104-W-M-17
Santa Fe, Texas
Killed: 10 – Injured: 13
April 22, 2018
Waffle House MS-00103-W-M-29
Nashville, Tennessee
Killed: 4 – Injured: 4
March 9, 2018
Yountville Veterans Home MS-00102-A-M-36
Yountville, California
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
February 14, 2018
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School MS-00101-W-M-19
Parkland, Florida
Killed: 17 – Injured: 17
Rank: 9
January 28, 2018
Ed’s Car Wash MS-00100-W-M-28
Melcroft, Pennsylvania
Killed: 4 – Injured: 1
November 14, 2017
Rancho Tehama Reserve MS-00099-W-M-44
Rancho Tehama, California
Killed: 5 – Injured: 10*
November 5, 2017
First Baptist Church MS-00098-W-M-26
Sutherland Springs, Texas
Killed: 26 – Injured: 20
Rank: 5
November 1, 2017
Walmart Supercenter MS-00097-W-M-47
Thornton, Colorado
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
October 18, 2017
Edgewood/Wilmington MS-00096-B-M-37
Edgewood, Maryland and Wilmington, Delaware
Killed: 3 – Injured: 3
October 1, 2017
Route 91 Harvest Music Festival MS-00095-W-M-64
Las Vegas, Nevada
Killed: 60 – Injured: 869
Rank: 1
June 14, 2017
United Parcel Service (UPS) Facility MS-00094-A-M-38
San Francisco, California
Killed: 3 – Injured: 7*
June 7, 2017
Weis Markets Supermarket MS-00093-W-M-24
Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
June 5, 2017
Fiamma Factory MS-00092-W-M-45
Orlando, Florida
Killed: 5 – Injured: 0
May 12, 2017
Pine Kirk Care Center MS-00091-W-M-43
Kirkersville, Ohio
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
April 18, 2017
Fresno Downtown MS-00090-B-M-39
Fresno, California
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
January 6, 2017
FLL International Airport MS-00089-L-M-26
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Killed: 5 – Injured: 42*
September 23, 2016
Cascade Mall MS-00088-O-M-20
Burlington, Washington
Killed: 5 – Injured: 0
July 17, 2016
Baton Rouge Police MS-00087-B-M-29
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Killed: 3 – Injured: 3
July 7, 2016
Dallas Police MS-00086-B-M-25
Dallas, Texas
Killed: 5 – Injured: 11
June 12, 2016
Pulse … and Nightclub MS-00085-O-M-29
Orlando, Florida
Killed: 50 – Injured: 58*
Rank: 2
February 25, 2016
Newton and Hesston MS-00084-B-M-38
Newton, Kansas and Hesston, Kansas
Killed: 3 – Injured: 14
February 20, 2016
Kalamazoo MS-00083-W-M-45
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Killed: 6 – Injured: 2
December 2, 2015
Inland Regional Center (IRC) MS-00082-O-M-28 – MS-00081-O-F-28
San Bernardino, California
Killed: 14 – Injured: 21
November 27, 2015
Planned Parenthood Clinic MS-00080-W-M-57
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Killed: 3 – Injured: 9
October 31, 2015
Colorado Springs MS-00079-W-M-33
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Killed: 3 – Injured: 0
October 1, 2015
Umpqua Community College MS-00078-O-M-26
Roseburg, Oregon
Killed: 9 – Injured: 9
July 16, 2015
Military Installations MS-00077-O-M-24
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Killed: 5 – Injured: 2
June 17, 2015
Emanuel AME Church MS-00076-W-M-21
Charleston, South Carolina
Killed: 9 – Injured: 1
June 11, 2015
Trestle Trail Bridge MS-00075-L-M-27
Menasha, Wisconsin
Killed: 3 – Injured: 1
October 24, 2014
Marysville-Pilchuck High School MS-00074-NA-M-15
Marysville, Washington
Killed: 5 – Injured: 3
May 23, 2014
Isla Vista MS-00073-W-M-22
Isla Vista, California
Killed: 6 – Injured: 14
April 3, 2014
Fort Hood Military Base MS-00072-L-M-34
Fort Hood, Texas
Killed: 3 – Injured: 14
February 20, 2014
Alturas Tribal MS-00071-NA-F-44
Alturas, California
Killed: 4 – Injured: 2
September 16, 2013
Naval Sea Systems Command MS-00070-B-M-34
Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C.
Killed: 12 – Injured: 8
July 26, 2013
Hialeah Apartment MS-00069-L-M-42
Hialeah, Florida
Killed: 6 – Injured: 0
June 7, 2013
Santa Monica MS-00068-W-M-23
Santa Monica, California
Killed: 6 – Injured: 4
April 21, 2013
Pinewood Village Apartment MS-00067-B-M-27
Federal Way, Washington
Killed: 4 – Injured: 0
March 13, 2013
Mohawk Valley MS-00066-W-M-64
Herkimer County, New York
Killed: 4 – Injured: 2
December 14, 2012
Sandy Hook Elementary School MS-00065-W-M-20
Newtown, Connecticut
Killed: 27 – Injured: 2
Rank: 4
September 27, 2012
Accent Signage Systems MS-00064-W-M-36
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Killed: 6 – Injured: 2
August 5, 2012
Gurdwara (Sikh Temple) MS-00063-W-M-40
Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Killed: 7 – Injured: 3
July 20, 2012
Century 16 Movie Theater MS-00062-W-M-24
Aurora, Colorado
Killed: 12 – Injured: 70
May 20, 2012
Café Racer MS-00061-W-M-40
Seattle, Washington
Killed: 5 – Injured: 1
April 2, 2012
Oikos University MS-00060-A-M-43
Oakland, California
Killed: 7 – Injured: 3
February 21, 2012
Su Jung Health Sauna MS-00059-A-M-59
Norcross, Georgia
Killed: 4 – Injured: 0
October 12, 2011
Salon Meritage Hair Salon MS-00058-W-M-42
Seal Beach, California
Killed: 8 – Injured: 1
September 6, 2011
IHOP MS-00057-L-M-32
Carson City, Nevada
Killed: 4 – Injured: 7
January 8, 2011
La Toscana Village Mall MS-00056-W-M-22
Tucson, Arizona
Killed: 6 – Injured: 14
August 3, 2010
Hartford Distributors MS-00055-B-M-34
Manchester, Connecticut
Killed: 8 – Injured: 2
November 29, 2009
Forza Coffee Shop MS-00054-B-M-37
Parkland, Washington
Killed: 4 – Injured: 0
November 5, 2009
Fort Hood Military Base MS-00053-O-M-39
Fort Hood, Texas
Killed: 13 – Injured: 33
April 3, 2009
ACA Immigration Center MS-00052-A-M-41
Binghamton, New York
Killed: 13 – Injured: 4
March 29, 2009
Pinelake Health and Rehabilitation MS-00051-W-M-45
Carthage, North Carolina
Killed: 8 – Injured: 2
June 25, 2008
Atlantis Plastics Factory MS-00050-W-M-25
Henderson, Kentucky
Killed: 5 – Injured: 1
February 14, 2008
Northern Illinois University MS-00049-W-M-27
DeKalb, Illinois
Killed: 5 – Injured: 21*
February 7, 2008
Kirkwood MS-00048-B-M-52
Kirkwood, Missouri
Killed: 6 – Injured: 1
December 5, 2007
Von Maur in Westroads Mall MS-00047-W-M-19
Omaha, Nebraska
Killed: 8 – Injured: 4
October 7, 2007
Crandon Duplex MS-00046-W-M-20
Crandon, Wisconsin
Killed: 6 – Injured: 1
April 16, 2007
Virginia Tech MS-00045-A-M-23
Blacksburg, Virginia
Killed: 32 – Injured: 23
Rank: 3
February 12, 2007
Trolley Square Mall MS-00044-W-M-18
Salt Lake City, Utah
Killed: 5 – Injured: 4
October 2, 2006
West Nickel Mines School MS-00043-W-M-32
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Killed: 5 – Injured: 5
March 25, 2006
Capitol Hill Neighborhood MS-00042-W-M-28
Seattle, Washington
Killed: 6 – Injured: 2
January 30, 2006
Goleta Postal Facility MS-00041-W-F-44
Goleta, California
Killed: 7 – Injured: 0
March 21, 2005
Red Lake Indian Reservation MS-00040-NA-M-16
Red Lake, Minnesota
Killed: 10 – Injured: 5
March 12, 2005
Living Church of God MS-00039-W-M-44
Brookfield, Wisconsin
Killed: 7 – Injured: 4
December 8, 2004
Alrosa Villa Nightclub MS-00038-W-M-25
Columbus, Ohio
Killed: 4 – Injured: 7*
July 8, 2003
Lockheed Martin Plant MS-00037-W-M-48
Meridian, Mississippi
Killed: 6 – Injured: 8
February 5, 2001
Navistar International Corporation Facility MS-00036-B-M-66
Melrose Park, Illinois
Killed: 4 – Injured: 4
December 26, 2000
Edgewater Technology MS-00035-W-M-42
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Killed: 7 – Injured: 0
December 30, 1999
Tampa MS-00034-L-M-34
Tampa, Florida
Killed: 5 – Injured: 3
November 2, 1999
Xerox Corporation Facility MS-00033-A-M-40
Honolulu, Hawaii
Killed: 7 – Injured: 0
September 15, 1999
Wedgwood Baptist Church MS-00032-W-M-47
Fort Worth, Texas
Killed: 7 – Injured: 7
July 29, 1999
Atlanta MS-00031-W-M-44
Atlanta, Georgia
Killed: 12 – Injured: 13
April 20, 1999
Columbine High School MS-00030-W-M-18 – MS-00029-W-M-17
Littleton, Colorado
Killed: 13 – Injured: 24
May 21, 1998
Thurston High School MS-00028-W-M-15
Springfield, Oregon
Killed: 4 – Injured: 25
March 24, 1998
Westside Middle School MS-00027-W-M-11
(Near) Jonesboro, Arkansas
Killed: 5 – Injured: 10
March 6, 1998
Connecticut Lottery Headquarters MS-00026-W-M-35
Newington, Connecticut
Killed: 5 – Injured: 1*
December 18, 1997
Caltrans Maintenance Yard MS-00025-L-M-41
Orange, California
Killed: 4 – Injured: 2
September 15, 1997
R. E. Phelon Company Plant MS-00024-B-M-43
Aiken, South Carolina
Killed: 4 – Injured: 3
February 9, 1996
City Beach Maintenance Trailer MS-00023-B-M-41
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Killed: 5 – Injured: 2
April 3, 1995
Walter Rossler Company MS-00022-U-M-41
Corpus Christi, Texas
Killed: 5 – Injured: 0
June 20, 1994
Fairchild Air Force Base Hospital MS-00021-W-M-20
Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington
Killed: 4 – Injured: 23
December 14, 1993
Chuck E. Cheese Restaurant MS-00020-B-M-19
Aurora, Colorado
Killed: 4 – Injured: 1
December 7, 1993
Long Island Rail Road MS-00019-B-M-35
Garden City, New York
Killed: 6 – Injured: 19
August 6, 1993
Luigi’s Italian Restaurant MS-00018-W-M-22
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Killed: 4 – Injured: 7
July 1, 1993
101 California Street MS-00017-W-M-55
San Francisco, California
Killed: 8 – Injured: 6
October 15, 1992
Schuyler County Social Services MS-00016-W-M-50
Watkins Glen, New York
Killed: 4 – Injured: 0
May 1, 1992
Lindhurst High School MS-00015-W-M-20
Olivehurst, California
Killed: 4 – Injured: 10
November 14, 1991
Royal Oak Post Office MS-00014-W-M-31
Royal Oak, Michigan
Killed: 4 – Injured: 5*
November 1, 1991
University of Iowa MS-00013-A-M-28
Iowa City, Iowa
Killed: 5 – Injured: 1
October 16, 1991
Luby’s Cafeteria MS-00012-W-M-35
Killeen, Texas
Killed: 23 – Injured: 27
Rank: 6—
June 18, 1990
Jacksonville MS-00011-B-M-42
Jacksonville, Florida
Killed: 10 – Injured: 6*
September 14, 1989
Standard Gravure Plant MS-00010-W-M-47
Louisville, Kentucky
Killed: 8 – Injured: 12
January 17, 1989
Cleveland Elementary School MS-00009-W-M-26
Stockton, California
Killed: 5 – Injured: 32*
February 16, 1988
ESL Incorporated MS-00008-W-M-39
Sunnyvale, California
Killed: 7 – Injured: 4
April 23, 1987
Palm Bay MS-00007-W-M-59
Palm Bay, Florida
Killed: 6 – Injured: 15
August 20, 1986
Edmond Post Office MS-00006-W-M-44
Edmond, Oklahoma
Killed: 14 – Injured: 6
July 18, 1984
San Ysidro McDonald’s Restaurant MS-00005-W-M-41
San Ysidro, California
Killed: 21 – Injured: 19
Rank: 8
June 29, 1984
Ianni’s Restaurant and Club MS-00004-W-M-39
Dallas, Texas
Killed: 6 – Injured: 1
August 20, 1982
Bob Moore’s Welding & … Service, Inc. MS-00003-W-M-51
Miami, Florida
Killed: 8 – Injured: 3
August 1, 1966
University of Texas Tower MS-00002-W-M-25
Austin Texas
Killed: 16 – Injured 31
Rank: 10
September 6, 1949
Walk of Death MS-00001-W-M-28
Camden, New Jersey
Killed: 13 – Injured: 3
All Mass Shootings Are Local Project
In some cases, we do not know and will likely never know what caused a mass shooting. But in many cases, it’s apparent, sometimes glaringly so. Regardless, we must not allow indifference to rule or allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the totality of these horrific events. As many others have so passionately done, we must leave no stones unturned in our quest to stop the next mass shooting. While we seek a cure-all that will be an end-all, the enormity of that focuses on global solutions when it’s local personal interventions that matter. Mass shootings likely cannot and will not be stopped collectively. The national, regional, state, and even county actions of government and organizations like 501(c)s, while honorable, won’t save the day. We all too often think that well-intentioned PhD researchers and the like are the answer but they’re not. You’re the answer. To wallow in finding the magic bullet that ends all mass shootings is foolish at best and futile at worst.
We believe the next mass shooting can only be stopped locally by caring, competent, and savvy individuals, who are brave.
Just as all politics are/is local, all mass shootings are local. Just as we’re told to shop locally, we need to stop mass shootings locally. The next mass shooter is kin, a friend, a colleague, and/or a neighbor. While high civilian gun ownership, copycat fame-seeking individuals, violent video games, saturated and sensationalized media coverage, and inadequate or incompetent mental health services are high on the bulleted lists of the causes of mass shootings, we must remember, the aggregate of that can and often does dissuade or overpower us.
“It’s the economy, stupid” has more than served its purpose, but now, for mass shootings, comes “It’s local, stupid.” And it is.
The next mass shooting that grabs headlines probably won’t be yours. But yours might just be brewing or might be soon. Pay attention. Pay close attention.
Soft Targets and Crowded Places (ST-CP) – Mass Shooting Prevention and Research Library (MSPRL) implores people, including the media, to understand the localism of mass shootings and to educate themselves in the stages, often very apparent, of what leads an individual to be a mass shooter, and when appropriate, to cunningly cast aside the steadfast American rule of minding your own business, and intervene early, and if necessary, often.
While we offer voluminous amounts of data, which can be helpful for awareness and research, stopping the next mass shooting depends on you, your significant other, your best friend, your coworker, and your neighbor.
While “If You See Something, Say Something” has been effective, it’s no longer enough. When it comes to mass shootings, it goes far beyond just seeing. It includes if you hear something and/or feel something. Both of those are equally as important as seeing something.
Almost every mass shooter was never in a vacuum, their intentions, from blatant to subtle, were there, but in a host of ways they fell through the cracks because those who merely crossed paths with them up to and including those who hobnobbed with them, and everyone in between, weren’t savvy, and more importantly, they chose to mind their own business.
The phrase “mind your own business” in the Bible, particularly in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, encourages individuals to focus on their own lives and work rather than being overly concerned with the affairs of others. It emphasizes the importance of leading a quiet and productive life, working diligently, and avoiding being “busybodies” or meddlers.
Sadly, the notion of minding our own business is deeply entrenched in society.
From repeated instruction from our parents from very young ages to the explicit teachings of the Bible in Sunday school and well beyond, and every medium in between, we have been programmed to mind our own business.
But both the old-world and modern world could not, and did not, foresee the extent and frequency of mass shootings. Just as the Second Amendment has become archaic in certain respects as it pertains to mass shootings, so too has the very long-standing principle that we mind our own business.
Mass shootings often ultimately end up being regional, national, and even international news, but they never started that way. They started in homes, neighborhoods, and communities, often very small ones; the places where we live; the very places where we work, go to school, and recreate. They ended, often on the national and even world stage, but they started in our backyards. It’s only in those backyards that we can stop them.
For example 50+ Bible Verses About Minding Your Own Business. Google it, and you’ll find a lot more.
Minding our own business is good time proven advice, but it’s completely dated when it comes to mass shootings.
When you see, hear, and/or feel something about the possibility of a mass shooting, be a busybody and meddle until the cows come home, then spill it all to the authorities, early and often.
Second Amendment Project
The Second (2nd) Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Amen.
But all too often, particularly as it pertains to mass shootings, the Second Amendment becomes very controversial.
The sticking point is that it’s taken as absolute; or is it?
Supporters are adamant about what it says, and they fight tooth and nail against anything that infringes on it.
Common sense laws restricting young people (say 18-year-olds) from buying and possessing guns are most often considered unconstitutional and are soundly rejected.
However, the Second Amendment applies to all citizens. Therefore, a ten-year old, being a citizen, has the right to buy and possess guns according to the Second Amendment.
Obviously, that’s crazy, but nonetheless true.
The point is, the glorious Second Amendment is a tad dated (it was ratified on December 15, 1791), but more importantly, humanistic common sense must prevail.
Even the most ardent Second Amendment supporters will agree we ought not let ten-year-olds buy and possess guns, but when proposals like requiring the legal age to buy and possess guns be 21, they cry foul.
States have many laws with varying ages for buying and possessing various guns. However, state laws do not supersede the Second Amendment. The Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms, and this right applies to both the federal government and state and local governments. While states can enact gun laws, they must still comply with the Second Amendment and other constitutional principles.
The Second Amendment, like any law, must be applied with common sense, therefore gun laws that requires citizens to be at least 21 (or even 25) years of age to buy and possess guns isn’t unreasonable. It’s common sense, just as not allowing a ten-year old to buy and possess guns.
At 25-years-old, vehicle insurance rates generally begin to decrease, often significantly, compared to younger drivers. There’s a reason for that; the same reason that buying and possessing guns needs to come later in life. It’s common sense.