Mass Shootings in the United States: Promising Approaches for Prevention and Response

By Lisa Geller and Jaclyn Schildkraut

Gun violence is a public health crisis in the United States. While the largest share of firearm-related deaths are suicides, most media coverage of gun violence focuses on homicides, particularly highly lethal mass shootings in public spaces. In the aftermath of one of these tragedies, there often are demands to “do something” to prevent the next one. In our forthcoming article, “Mass Shootings in the United States: Prevalence, Policy, and a Way Forward,” we highlight policies and proposals offered by legislators and advocates to prevent mass shootings from happening and reducing their lethality if they do occur. 

Research shows that there are numerous gun violence prevention policies and programs associated with reductions in the number of mass shootings. Our article focuses on three of the most promising – background checks (as a part of a permit-to-purchase system), protection orders (domestic violence protection orders and extreme risk protection orders), and threat assessment.  

Universal background checks are the backbone of all other gun violence prevention policies and are most effective when combined with a firearm purchaser licensing system, also called permit-to-purchase. This process generally requires a firearm purchaser to fill out an application in person, undergo a background check with a waiting period, get fingerprinted, and complete a firearms safety course. Research shows that permit-to-purchase laws are associated with lower rates of mass shooting incidents and fewer victims. Still, background checks are not presently required for all gun sales under federal law or in many states. 

Protection orders that require firearm relinquishment also can be a tool to prevent mass shootings. Domestic violence protection orders protect victims and survivors of domestic abuse through various mechanisms, including stay away orders, no contact orders, and firearm relinquishment. Given the relationship between domestic violence and mass shootings, ensuring that domestic abusers do not have access to guns can be critical to preventing mass shootings. Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs) are civil orders modeled off domestic violence protection orders but are different in that they only address access to firearms. While ERPOs are still a relatively new policy, research shows that they have been used in efforts to prevent mass shootings. 

Further, identifying, assessing, and managing threats is critical in preventing mass shootings. Many perpetrators leak their intentions ahead of their attacks, providing an opportunity for intervention. These threats may be disseminated through different channels, including person-to-person and on social media, and in most cases, at least one other person – but often multiple people – is aware of the communications. Too often, these individuals fail to come forward and report their concerns to the authorities, who then can take action to prevent the threat from coming to fruition. When leakage is reported, however, efforts can be made to get individuals off the pathway toward violence, including using ERPOs to remove their weapons. 

While every effort should be made to prevent mass shootings from occurring, not all will. As such, policies such as emergency preparedness practices and limits on assault weapons and large capacity magazines also are needed to mitigate their harms.  

Emergency preparedness efforts related to mass shootings can include lockdown drills, which are designed to teach people to build distance between themselves and the threat. This is accomplished by securing oneself behind a locked door, turning off the lights, moving out of sight, remaining silent, and not providing entry into the space. While typically discussed in the context of school-based preparedness efforts, lockdowns have been found to have protective effects in real-world mass shootings both within and beyond educational locations.  

Efforts to mitigate the harms of mass shootings also center on limiting access to assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines. While most mass shooters use handguns, those incidents where assault rifles were used have been found to lead to more fatalities and overall injuries. Similarly, attention has been paid to curbing the sale and use of large capacity magazines given the sheer number of rounds these guns can fire and the carnage they inflict. Data show that banning large capacity magazines reduces the lethality of mass shootings. 

In short, there is no single policy or program alone that will address all aspects of mass shootings. Indeed, a comprehensive and layered approach that includes both preventative and response strategies is critical in reducing the number and lethality of these acts. 

Volume details
Preventing Gun Violence in America: What Works and What is Possible
Guest Editors: Cassandra Crifasi, Jennifer Necci Dineen & Kerri M. Raissian
First Published: June 20, 2023
DOI: 10.1177/ANNA_704_1
The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

About the authors