Addressing Mass Shootings in a New Light.

Manal Ahmad,Judith Lone,Karlyle Robinson,Kaushal Shah,Hema Mekala

doi:10.7759/cureus.9298

Manal Ahmad, Judith Lone + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.9298

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Abstract

Locations change, casualties change, but the choice of weapon remains the same: firearms. With mass shootings gaining continuous limelight, we aim through this article to provide the readers an overview of the perpetrator's profile, along with various opinions proposed by the media, government, National Rifle Association (NRA), and health professionals. With mental health linked as a common factor for such incidents, we need to explore the different stances to eliminate such events. This article also provides a collaborative approach to alter the narrative and view it in a new light.

Highlights

BackgroundMass shootings have shocked and mobilized the attitudes of the United States (US)
With mass shootings gaining continuous limelight, we aim through this article to provide the readers an overview of the perpetrator's profile, along with various opinions proposed by the media, government, National Rifle Association (NRA), and health professionals
Whereas in 2017, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that about 39,773 people died from firearm-related injuries, of which 14,542 accounted for firearm-related homicides

Summary

Introduction

Mass shootings have shocked and mobilized the attitudes of the United States (US). It implies an incident involving four or more victims due to firearm-related injuries [1]. A research study that analyzed 14 national and regional sources published from 1997 to 2012 mentioned that 17% of stories highlighted the cause of mass shootings as people with mental illness and 9% as gun violence. Government, and organizations like NRA provide a persuasive narrative that links the perpetrator involved in a rampage shooting with mental illness, this information creates the social stigma around mental health, leading to lower treatment rates and undesired adverse outcomes [7]. This narrative deviates the public perception of the cause of mass shootings from illegal firearm access to mental illness. This system can prevent potential violence only in patients who have sought assistance voluntarily or willing to change and work on their mental illness [7]

Conclusions

Findings

Disclosures