How to Avoid Mass Shootings

Co-authored by Hannah Madden

Last Updated: May 8, 2022 References

As mass shootings become more and more prevalent, many Americans are wondering how they can be avoided or stopped in their tracks. While there isn’t a quick and easy cure, experts agree that there are some concrete steps lawmakers and citizens can take to slow the rate of gun violence in the country. Read through these steps to learn more about keeping yourself and your community safe from mass shootings.

1

File an ERPO against dangerous people.

You can file extreme-risk protection orders in 19 states. These orders can ban someone from purchasing a firearm. If you believe that someone dangerous is going to purchase a gun, head to the website of the county where the person lives. From there, you can file a protection order that will go to a judge, and they get to decide whether or not that person can purchase a firearm.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source
New England Journal of Medicine
World's Leading Medical Journal
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- You might file a protection order if someone has made threats to harm themselves or others with a firearm.
- As of April 2021, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington have the option to file an extreme-risk protection order.

2

Report threatening behavior.

Tell law enforcement about any potential threats. If someone has talked about committing a mass shooting or they’ve alluded to doing it in the future, call your local police. They can investigate the threats and see if they’re legitimate or not.^{[2]
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Trustworthy Source
New England Journal of Medicine
World's Leading Medical Journal
Go to source}
- It’s better to be safe than sorry. Even if you aren’t 100% sure that the threats are legit, it’s better to get the police involved too early than too late.

3

Support universal background checks for gun owners.

The law requires background checks from licensed firearm dealers. However, you can sell a firearm at a gun show in seconds, without a background check or even a waiting period. A universal background check would close this loophole. To support a universal background check, call your local lawmakers and ask them to extend the law beyond federal regulations.^{[3]
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- Currently, there are 22 states with background check laws. To see if your state is on this list, visit https://giffords.org/lawcenter/gun-laws/policy-areas/background-checks/universal-background-checks/.
- Studies show that comprehensive background checks for all firearm sales decrease gun violence by almost 35%.^{[4]
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4

Take action to ban assault weapons.

These are semi-automatic weapons that can fire at a rapid rate. While this alone may not stop mass shootings altogether, many experts see it as a valid first step. You can support a ban on assault weapons by petitioning lawmakers for it and voting in favor of it on your next ballot.^{[5]
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- The term “assault weapons” can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. In general, it means they have detachable magazines and can fire semi-automatically.

5

Take action to ban high-capacity magazines.

High-capacity magazines inflict a lot of damage. The more bullets a magazine can hold, the more rounds a shooter can fire off without stopping. You can support a high-capacity magazine ban by calling your local lawmakers and voting in favor of a ban.^{[6]
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- Experts agree that this ban wouldn’t stop mass shootings all on its own, but it’s a good start.

6

Keep in contact with gun owners and gun stores.

Responsible gun owners can promote gun safety. Talk to gun owners and gun store owners in your community. As you think about preventing mass shootings, try not to draw a divide between yourself and gun owners in general. People looking to purchase guns usually listen to gun store owners, and they may have more success in deterring gun violence than someone who doesn’t own guns.^{[7]
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- This is especially important if you’re a lawmaker or looking into local gun laws. Not all gun owners will commit mass shootings, and it’s good to keep that in mind.

7

Fund the research into gun violence.

The US spends very little money on research into gun violence. The more research we have into what causes gun violence, the more we can work to stop it. You can donate to organizations like the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis.^{[8]
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- As of 2019, the CDC is now getting federal grant money to research gun violence and study its causes and effects.^{[9]
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  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services
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8

Join an anti-gun violence organization.

There are tons of local and national organizations you can join. You can search for ones in your area, or you can join a national one like Americans for Responsible Solutions, The Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, States United to Prevent Gun Violence, and The Violence Policy Center.^{[10]
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- These organizations are all different, but most focus on education and research into gun violence.

9

Go to a protest.

Tons of protests happen after mass shootings. If you know of one in your area, head out and make your voice heard. If there isn’t one happening already, gather with your community and demand that lawmakers do something. Make signs, host chants, and get on the news so your message is heard.^{[11]
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- You could also host a walkout at your school or workplace.

10

Dispel myths surrounding gun violence.

Educate others about gun violence to promote safety. There are a lot of myths surrounding gun violence and mass shootings, like “mass shootings are done by the mentally ill” and “mass shooters are usually lone wolves.” However, these myths are not true, and they can perpetuate violence and the stigma surrounding mass shootings.^{[12]
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- Studies show that fewer than 5% of mass shootings are actually done by people with a mental illness.^{[13]
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  PubMed Central
  Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health
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- Calling someone a “lone wolf” is a way to deflect the violence and terrorism they have commited. No one commits a mass shooting in a bubble, and blaming social isolation as the cause is often a way for lawmakers to avoid responsibility.^{[14]
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