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| Gender | Number of incidents |
|---|---|
| Male | 143 |
| Female | 4 |
| Male and female | 2 |
- Region: United States
- Time period: 1982 to Dec 6, 2023
- Published: Dec 2023
Data Analysis and Insights
Dominance of Male Shooters in Mass Shootings
Male perpetrators are responsible for a staggering 94.7% of all mass shootings, with 143 incidents attributed to them. This overwhelming majority underscores a significant gender disparity in the occurrence of such tragic events.Rarity of Female Shooters
Female shooters are exceptionally rare in mass shootings, accounting for only 4 incidents, which represents a mere 2.6% of the total. This rarity highlights a significant gender difference in the perpetration of mass shootings.Involvement of Both Genders in Shootings
Shootings involving both male and female perpetrators are exceedingly uncommon, with only 2 incidents, making up just 1.3% of all cases. This rarity indicates that mass shootings are predominantly carried out by individuals acting alone.Frequently Asked Questions
What is the gender disparity in the occurrence of mass shootings?
Male perpetrators are responsible for a significant 94.7% of all mass shootings, demonstrating a major gender disparity.
How common are female shooters in mass shootings?
Female shooters are extremely rare, accounting for only 2.6% of all mass shootings.
How frequent are shootings involving both male and female perpetrators?
They are exceedingly uncommon, with just 1.3% of all incidents involving both genders.
Terms and Definitions
Mass shooting refers to an incident involving multiple victims of firearms-related violence. While there is no singular, widely-accepted definition of a mass shooting, many organizations and studies use the criterion of four or more shot (injured or killed), excluding the shooter, to categorize an event as a mass shooting.
Mass shooters are individuals who carry out a mass shooting. They are often characterized by their motivations, background, and planning methods, with significant attention given to their psychological state and social circumstances.
Firearms-related violence is any act of aggression, harm or threat carried out with the use of guns. This broad category includes not only mass shootings but also individual homicides, suicide by firearm, accidental discharges resulting in injury or death, and instances of intimidation or coercion involving a firearm.
Firearms refer to portable guns, including handguns, rifles, and shotguns, that expel one or more projectiles driven by rapidly expanding high-pressure gas produced by chemical reactions. In the context of mass shootings, firearms refer to the weapons used by the shooter.
Victims in the context of a mass shooting refer to those individuals who sustain injuries or lose their lives due to the shooter's actions. This can include people who were directly targeted, bystanders, or those affected by the incident indirectly such as family members or friends of the injured or deceased.
Perpetrators, in the context of mass shootings, refer to the individuals who execute the act of shooting. They are responsible for the planning and carrying out of the incident resulting in harm to others.
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