USA Today has an
article today (12/19) that goes over data compiled by the FBI about mass killings. The FBI classifies a mass killing as when 4 or more people are murdered. The data in the article was collected between 2006 - 2010. Here are a few points:
- There were 156 mass killings during the time period
- There were a total of 774 lives taken
- 161 of the lives lost were children under 12
- A lone gunman accounts for less than half of these killings
- 1/3 of mass killings did not involve firearms
- When firearms were used (107 times), pistols were used more than any other weapon (68 times)
- Of all murders during the time period, mass killings account for less than 1%
- During the time period the CDC reports that more people died from:
- Migraines
- Falling out of chairs
- 3 times as many people died from sunstroke
It is my belief that high capacity magazines (100 bullets) for rifles (
assault weapons) should be illegal. The US military uses a maximum magazine size of 30 rounds. The US military alters weapons to be belt fed when higher capacity is needed. The CT gunman had 2 pistols and 1 rifle with 30 round magazines. None of the above makes a damn bit of difference if you lost your child or a loved one to gun violence.
- There were a total of 71,945 murders during the time period
- 67% of all murders during the time period were committed with a firearm
Thankfully,
Joe Biden has been assigned to lead the discussion on curbing gun violence. We're saved.
