Abstract
Mass shootings at a Connecticut elementary school, a Colorado movie theater,
and other venues have prompted a fair number of proposals for change.
Advocates for tighter gun restrictions, for expanding mental health services
, for upgrading security in public places, and, even, for controlling
violent entertainment have made certain assumptions about the nature of mass
murder that are not necessarily valid.
This article examines a variety of myths and misconceptions about multiple
homicide and mass shooters, pointing out some of the difficult realities in
trying to avert these murderous rampages. While many of the policy proposals
are worthwhile in general, their prospects for reducing the risk of mass
murder are limited.
PART of Conclusion
Eliminating the risk of mass murder would involve extreme steps that we are
unable or unwilling to take—abolishing the Second Amendment, achieving full
employment, restoring our sense of community, and rounding up anyone who
looks or acts at all suspicious. Mass murder just may be a price we must
pay for living in a society where personal freedom is so highly valued.
