Correlates of Severity of Mass Public Shootings in the United States, 1966–2022

Abstract

This paper explores the correlates of mass shooting severity in the United States. Relying on the stacked data from 1966 to 2022 in the Violence Project (version 5), we developed a model of mass shooting severity using regression models. Results show that having more firepower at the shooting scenes, lack of employment, being married, and more mental health issues increase casualties in mass shootings. Policies that limit the accessibility of assault weapons with high capacities and address mental health issues would effectively reduce the casualties of mass shootings.

Keywords:

• Gun control
• instrumentality hypothesis
• mass public shooting severity
• mental health
• social integration theory