What are your thoughts on the FBI's findings in a recently released study of 160 active shooter incidents from 2000 to 2013?

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 02:03:17 -0400

Major Findings from the FBI’s Active Shooter Incidents Study
The just-released “A Study of Active Shooter Incidents in the United States Between 2000 and 2013” contains a full list of the 160 incidents used in study, including those that occurred at Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary School, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Fort Hood, the Aurora (Colorado) Cinemark Century 16 movie theater, the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin, and the Washington Navy Yard, as well as numerous other tragic shootings. Here are some of the study’s findings:
- Active shooter incidents are becoming more frequent—the first seven years of the study show an average of 6.4 incidents annually, while the last seven years show 16.4 incidents annually.
- These incidents resulted in a total of 1,043 casualties (486 killed, 557 wounded—excluding the shooters).
- All but six of the 160 incidents involved male shooters (and only two involved more than one shooter).
- More than half of the incidents—90 shootings—ended on the shooter’s initiative (i.e., suicide, fleeing), while 21 incidents ended after unarmed citizens successfully restrained the shooter.
- In 21 of the 45 incidents where law enforcement had to engage the shooter to end the threat, nine officers were killed and 28 were wounded.
- The largest percentage of incidents—45.6 percent—took place in a commercial environment (73 incidents), followed by 24.3 percent that took place in an educational environment (39 incidents). The remaining incidents occurred at the other location types specified in the study—open spaces, military and other government properties, residential properties, houses of worship, and health care facilities.
https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2014/september/fbi-releases-study-on-active-shooter-incidents

FBI Releases Study on Active Shooter Incidents

Our study includes 160 active shooter incidents in the U.S. from 2000-2013.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Oct 3 at 2015 3:09 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 03:09:57 -0400

These numbers should have people thinking.

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Oct 3 at 2015 4:01 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 04:01:05 -0400

CPO Andy Carrillo, MS There are many reasons behind the rise in these, "active shooter" attacks. One, just like the shooter from the latest tragedy in Oregon, is that many people believe that they will be famous, and be remembered by many, when they commit these crimes. A good start might be not to publicize these shooters so much, plastering the face of a murderer, in front of everyone, as if the killer were some kind of hero, when it should be the victims, and their families, that we are thinking about.

It is wonderful, and just that these murderers are themselves gunned down by responding law enforcement officers. Anyone who is willing to kill, with no rhyme or reason, deserves whatever punishment he/she may receive. The death of innocents demand justice.

Just one last thought. Although the FBI tracks the number of "active shooter incidents", there is no database kept for law enforcement officers who are accused, reprimanded, or even suspended, for questionable shootings, "in the line of duty". As long as the local agency decides that the shooting was justified, and there is no video evidence to contradict the officer's story (sometimes even when there is), the FBI turns a blind eye to such shootings. These shootings were quantified at one time, but the law enforcement group tracking these number discontinued the program. As of September 1, 2015 it is estimated that law enforcement have killed 776 people in 2015. An estimated 161 were unarmed. Just a thought when we speak about shootings and justice.

776 People Killed By Police So Far in 2015, 161 Of Them Unarmed

But, just 25 police officers have died from firearms-related violence in the same period.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 3 at 2015 4:03 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 04:03:16 -0400

What percentage in gun-free zones?
Is there a lesson in that?

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 3 at 2015 8:03 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 08:03:01 -0400

I'd like to point out that they specifically "juggle" terminology to inflate the issue. It's subtle and even I almost didn't catch it at first.

Mass Shooters means one thing. Active Shooters means another. There have been approximately 75~ "Mass Shootings" (in the way we think about them) in US Modern History.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/07/mass-shootings-map

Active Shooters is a different term. It is defined by the DHS. It is as follows:

"An Active Shooter is an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in
a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no
pattern or method to their selection of victims. "
http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/active_shooter_booklet.pdf

This DOUBLES the number of incidents, and shifts things into the "Mass Shooting" Discussion which would not normally be. Think about it like the Assault Weapon, Assault Rifle debate. Similar terms used specifically to create confusion, to push an agenda.

Here's a good site, but it does a lot of the same thing, using gang violence (criminal activity) to inflate the numbers.

http://www.shootingtracker.com/

Maj Richard "Ernie" Rowlette Capt Richard I P. Can you gentlemen check my logic on this one.

A Guide to Mass Shootings in America

Here is Mother Jones' groundbreaking database tracking public mass shootings in the US.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 3 at 2015 10:50 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 10:50:24 -0400

Another study finds that when treated carefully the data doesn't show significant trends.

"No matter how you cut it, there's no epidemic...This report should calm the fears that many people have that these numbers are out of control."

https://reason.com/blog/2015/08/03/mass-shootings-study

Congressional Research Service Releases Study of Mass Shootings

Mass shootings are slightly more common than they were 15 years ago. Most of them do not look like the stereotypical public shooting.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 3 at 2015 12:17 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 12:17:23 -0400

I could have sworn that O'Bonzo said three days ago that there have been mass shootings EVERY DAY in the country, this year alone. I guess he was doing what he always does: lying.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Oct 3 at 2015 1:53 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Sat, 03 Oct 2015 13:53:47 -0400

What a coincidence. Obama is on another rant for more gun control and the FBI comes out with this.
Does that mean all the extra security and hardening of the schools didn't work? In order to prove how effective gun control can be we need a test bed. Hey, I got it, Chicago, let Rahm Emmanuel and the President come up with a plan to stop the bloodletting in his hometown to show us how it can be done. Things went to Hell since Obama left the community organizing business. (sarc)

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Oct 4 at 2015 1:45 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 01:45:23 -0400

According to USA today:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/10/02/umpqua-community-college-shooting-oregon-mass-shooting-fbi-statistics-column/73199052/

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2015 1:46 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 01:46:29 -0400

While it doesn't help the fact that these shootings happen I wonder how these stats measure up to the rest of the world. The 21 times that the shooter was apprehended by unarmed people? How many times was the shooter stopped by armed CIVILIANS?

Response by MSgt John Grollimund made Oct 5 at 2015 8:56 AM

MSgt John Grollimund — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 08:56:01 -0400

I have to thoughts...

1. It a way for the FBI to increase funding.

2. I believe its an overall de-sensizing of the population to violence. Look at videogames. Grand Theft Auto.. Modern Warfare.. Acceptable violence and language on TV. Our views have become skewed. Ignorance has become a way of life. We are no longer allowed free thought.. most of the US population has become "sheeple" instead of people. They allow the media to dictate their thoughts.

Response by MSG Kirt Highberger made Oct 5 at 2015 9:41 PM

MSG Kirt Highberger — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 21:41:29 -0400

What are the numbers for "active DUI drivers and fatalities"?

Response by CPT Edward Barr made Oct 6 at 2015 9:02 AM

CPT Edward Barr — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 09:02:19 -0400

Statistics show: 99% of the people who read this, will consist of 50% of the people who read 25% of the article consisting of 34.3% of the forum members having read or not read 47% of subsequent related topics.

Response by SSG Shawn Ireland made Oct 21 at 2015 6:56 PM

SSG Shawn Ireland — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 18:56:57 -0400

There will always be those who look to harm others. The fact that they used a firearm is only due to the fact that they are capable of doing mass harm in a congested area. We can not use the fact that a gun was used and figure that by restricting firearm sales that this will change the number of shootings. The fact that these kids are able to get access to guns are for the most part their parents responsibility. Every person who owns a firearm should be required to own a safe in which they are locked away from anyone who should not have access. I know the argument that a gun locked away is the same as not having a firearm in the first place. My answer to that is one should be carried with you and either loaded or a loaded mag should also be on your belt for any need that arises. But never should a child be or have access to any firearm without adult supervision! And most importantly if a gun is to be in a home, every person in the house should be given instructions on the proper use with adult supervision. It doesn't matter weather or not they like guns, as they need to know what they are capable of. I personally have had all my children and grandchildren, with the exception of my youngest have been given hands on training and firing of a gun. In this way the curiosity is removed for the most part. Then they must be instructed that they are never to touch any gun and if they should come across one they need alter a adult and not touch it as there is no reason for a firearm to be left in out in the open unattended. Lead by example and most will follow your instructions. Safety is top priority when you have children and gun I hope this shines somc light on this important topic. Be responsible as you can never get a life back! It's our responsibility to teach properly our children about guns and let them know they are not toys and can kill someone without any intent ment! We have a responsibility and if not us, who? Teach your children everything you can so it becomes second nature and the curiosity is no more! Be smart and teach them !