VPC Releases Where'd
They Get Their Guns? An Analysis of the Firearms Used in High-Profile
Shootings, 1963 to 2001
Most Firearms Were
Legally Acquired
Washington, DC�The Violence Policy Center (VPC) today released Where'd
They Get Their Guns? An Analysis of the Firearms Used in High-Profile
Shootings, 1963 to 2001, an examination of 65 high-profile
shootings over the past four decades. The report provides details for
each shooting including: the identity of the shooter; the number of people
killed and wounded; the make, model, and caliber of the gun(s) used in
the shooting; the circumstances of the shooting; and, how the gun was
acquired. The shooters in these killings varied from school-aged children
to disgruntled employees to lone-wolf assassins�acting out of a wide range
of motives.
"This report reveals that most mass shootings involved handguns, usually
legally acquired," VPC Policy Analyst and report author Marty Langley
said today. "The message is clear, until we begin focusing upstream at
the gun manufacturers by regulating the gun industry itself�instead of
relying on traditional gun control measures that focus solely on the user�killings
of this type will continue unabated."
Among the study's findings are�
-
In the 59 high-profile shootings from 1980 onwards:
A handgun was used in 71 percent of the shootings (42 cases) as the
only or primary weapon, while in 29 percent (17 cases) a rifle or shotgun
was used as the only or primary weapon.
The handguns were acquired legally in 62 percent of the handgun shootings
(26 cases).
The long guns were acquired legally in 71 percent of the long-gun shootings
(12 cases).
- In
the 10 high-profile shootings in America's schools from October 1997
to March 2001, handguns were among the weapons used in nine of the shootings.
In eight of the 10 school shootings the guns were obtained from a family
member or friend of the shooter.
Adds
Langley, "This week, as we mark the second anniversary of the Columbine
massacre, we should more closely examine the source of these devastating
shootings and look toward a more comprehensive approach to lessen the
impact guns have on our lives."
The Violence Policy Center is a
national non-profit educational foundation that conducts research on violence
in America and works to develop violence-reduction policies and proposals.
The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research
on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related
death and injury.
|
 |
For Release:
Wednesday, April 18, 2001
Contact:
Naomi Seligman
Violence Policy Center
(202) 822-8200 x105
|
|
