What is to blame for the increase in mass shootings in recent years?

[Crepitus]

Number of mass shootings in the U.S. 2026| Statista

In 2025, there were seven mass shootings recorded in the United States.

www.statista.com

We can see an increase in mass shootings in recent years, though, if we go as far back as 1982, we can see some years where the rates of mass shootings aren't any higher.

Given that mass shootings are statistical anomaly, and aren't likely to be a safety threat to the average person, I'm not particularly inclined to be concerned about them. The reality is that uninformed people who consume mass media tend to be fearful of things that are an unlikely occurrence, and often contrive unhelpful solutions to what they view as problems (such as how the mass hysteria over 9/11 motivated the Iraq War, which many, in hindsight, view as a mistake).

Regardless, if some people are concerned about the increase in mass shootings, I would like to hear intelligent opinions on why they are increasing.

Easy access to firearms. A momentary impulse can turn into mass murder in minutes.

 

[fncceo]

Easy access to firearms. A momentary impulse can turn into mass murder in minutes.

Americans have had easy access to firearms since 1628 ... it that were the primary factor then school shootings would have been a common theme in America since then.

It wasn't until the 1980s that we made the morally dubious decision to close down insane asylums and letting dangerous mental patients live among us.

 

[DukeU]

The increase is due to the fact that the definition has changed.

What Counts as a Mass Shooting? The Definition We …​

Mass Shootings: Why Does Definition Matter? - rockinst.org​

 

[Crepitus]

Americans have had easy access to firearms since 1628 ... it that were the primary factor then school shootings would have been a common theme in America since then.

It wasn't until the 1980s that we made the morally dubious decision to close down insane asylums and letting dangerous mental patients live among us.

It gets easier every year.

 

[fncceo]

It gets easier every year.

For people to defend themselves

 

[Crepitus]

For people to defend themselves

For whack-jobs to get guns.

 

[Robert W]

and often contrive unhelpful solutions to what they view as problems (such as how the mass hysteria over 9/11 motivated the Iraq War,

The Iraq war was not correctly discussed by the US media. A few did discuss it accurately but not, so the public understands. Our public does not understand wars at all. They don't understand WW2, Korea, Vietnam and of course wiping out Saddam Hussein.

Best to read American Soldier to get the correct story about Iraq.

 

[Dekster]

Identity politics feeds communal violence, we have just digitized it so it is harder to see the groups the individual actors identified with.

 

[White 6]

Okay, but what is the reason that those things are allegedly increasing since the 1980s?

How about shitty parenting, not teaching right vs wrong, and parental over indulgence, turning out a greater number of shitty kids, turning into shitty adults?

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

You're going to need to quantify that one, and explain why it would make a difference if a father resides in the same physical vicinity as the mother and the child, if he is an abusive or negligent parent.

If a father is a gangbanger, maybe it would be better for him not to be in the home.

He became a gangbanger by not having a father himself. Likely he wouldn’t be around anyway.

 

[DonGlock26]

Number of mass shootings in the U.S. 2026| Statista

In 2025, there were seven mass shootings recorded in the United States.

www.statista.com

We can see an increase in mass shootings in recent years, though, if we go as far back as 1982, we can see some years where the rates of mass shootings aren't any higher.

Given that mass shootings are statistical anomaly, and aren't likely to be a safety threat to the average person, I'm not particularly inclined to be concerned about them. The reality is that uninformed people who consume mass media tend to be fearful of things that are an unlikely occurrence, and often contrive unhelpful solutions to what they view as problems (such as how the mass hysteria over 9/11 motivated the Iraq War, which many, in hindsight, view as a mistake).

Regardless, if some people are concerned about the increase in mass shootings, I would like to hear intelligent opinions on why they are increasing.

We no longer institutionalize seriously mentally ill people. The gov't wanted to save money and liberals/ civil libertarians think the mentally ill freezing to death on the streets is an expression of freedom and compassion.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Our culture creates mentally ill by mainstreaming and encouraging drug use.

 

[DonGlock26]

Our culture creates mentally ill by mainstreaming and encouraging drug use.

Fun fact: the marijuana used today is much stronger than the joints the Boomers use to smoke.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

How about shitty parenting, not teaching right vs wrong, and parental over indulgence, turning out a greater number of shitty kids, turning into shitty adults?

It's a huge part of it

 

[fncceo]

Fun fact: the marijuana used today is much stronger than the joints the Boomers use to smoke.

Yes, I'm so jealous

 

[Orangecat]

What is to blame for the increase in mass shootings in recent years?​

Duh gunz!!!!1!1!!

 

[Thinker101]

 

[Leo123]

Easy access to firearms. A momentary impulse can turn into mass murder in minutes.

'can' but mostly doesn't. You worried about your own stability?

 

[fncceo]

You worried about your own stability?

Anyone with such low self-esteem would most likely turn their gun on themselves first.

 

[RoshawnMarkwees]

Fun fact: the marijuana used today is much stronger than the joints the Boomers use to smoke.

And the 1970’s shit was bad enough to cause mental illness. Fact.