A Comprehensive Assessment of Deadly Mass Shootings, 1980-2018

This project will examine deadly public mass shootings that took place between 1980 through 2018 in the United States. The overarching purpose is to improve the understanding of mass shooters and public mass shooting incidents to inform efforts to prevent and deter future attacks.

Specific aims of the study are to determine (1) broad patterns in deadly mass shootings over time with respect to type and incident characteristics; (2) the key individual-level factors associated with the incidents (offender and victims) and assess changes of these factors over time; (3) the key situational factors, such as physical location, security measures (e.g., presence of a weapon at premises or venues), timing in respect to previous incident, duration, and what happened to the shooter at the scene; and (4) the key contextual factors such as jurisdictional characteristics, including laws and policies and structural and geographic characteristics. The project will also produce methodologically rigorous, accurate, and publicly transparent data on the nature of deadly mass shootings with direct implications for public safety as it will inform public policy efforts aimed at reducing public mass shooting events.

"Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law," and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements - 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14).

CA/NCF