Ask Me Help Desk - The real cause of mass shootings

The real cause of mass shootings

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Psychologists have collected data showing that the vast majority of shooters come from households characterized by divorce and separation, abuse and neglect, alcoholism, and drug addiction.

“Out of this sample of 56 school shooters, only 10 (18%) grew up in a stable home with both biological parents,” psychologist Peter Langman wrote. “In other words, 82% of the sample either grew up in dysfunctional families or without their parents together (for at least part of their lives).”

So as it turns out, it's really not an issue of "assault rifles", but rather of a culture that has turned its back on traditional family structure.

School shootings: It's not a gun problem - it's a fatherless problem. (lawenforcementtoday.com)

After hearing or reading about yet another shooting, I ask "Why?!" A huge factor along with poor parenting is mental/emotional illness -- such as schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, anxiety disorders -- that too many families don't realize are in their genes and that have such a huge influence on a family member's behavior. A mental illness can make a person miserable and can cause problems in daily life, such as at school or work or in relationships. Too often, those who (possibly/probably unknowingly) suffer from a mental illiness are bullied, are excluded from group and family activities, are socially shunned -- which then exacerbates their negative feelings and makes the situation even worse.

Solution? Retaliate. Shoot somebody -- and oneself -- to end the pain.

I wouldn't argue with most of what you said, but all of that was true fifty years ago when mass shootings were a tenth of what they are now which indicates that culture is still the biggest issue.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

I wouldn't argue with most of what you said, but all of that was true fifty years ago when mass shootings were a tenth of what they are now which indicates that culture is still the biggest issue.

And the much larger population.

Prior to 1970, there had been a whopping total of three mass shootings in the U.S. Since 2001, there have been twenty. Please don't tell me you think that is the result of population increase.

Mass shootings in the United States - Wikipedia

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Prior to 1970, there had been a whopping total of three mass shootings in the U.S. Since 2001, there have been twenty. Please don't tell me you think that is the result of population increase.

Mass shootings in the United States - Wikipedia

Plus better and much more wide-ranging communication, especially digitally. Prior to 1970, communication was very limited (compared to the 2000s).

Oh brother.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Plus better and much more wide-ranging communication, especially digitally. Prior to 1970, communication was very limited (compared to the 2000s).

You make a very good point often overlooked. The anonymity of the internet and the explosion of social media has a huge part to play in the mass shootings.

Social media is largely a development of the 2000's. Mass shootings predate that considerably. The significant disintegration of the family, however, does not. Besides, the communication comparison was to the 1970's, and yet there was television, radio, telephone, space travel, satellites, and so forth prior to that, so I'm not sure what the point was.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Too often, those who (possibly/probably unknowingly) suffer from a mental illiness are bullied

I don't think mental illness has anything to do with going off on a shooting spree because of bullying. That is simply the way the Republican Party glosses over the tragic events to move the conversation away from gun control. After the fact diagnoses of mental illness are often of the variety, "Anybody who would do such a horrible thing must be mentally ill".

Considering the fact that the overwhelming majority of mentally-challenged family members do NOT become mass shooters, combined with the fact that mass shooters have access to weapons including assault rifles that they should NOT have access to, a more immediate solution is to regulate who has access to weapons.

In addition to what has already been proposed, parents should be held accountable for providing weapons to their less than responsible or underage family members or making it easy for those family members to access the weapons.

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Solution? Retaliate. Shoot somebody -- and oneself -- to end the pain.

Gun regulation is an obvious step in the solution to the problem of mass shootings. Unfortunately, it has been blocked again and again by the Republican Party in cahoots with the NRA. Even the terrible slaughter of little children was not enough to move them, and allowed utterly evil morons like Alex Jones to make a fortune out of mass shootings of children and the misery of parents.

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That is simply the way the Republican Party glosses over the tragic events to move the conversation away from gun control. After the fact diagnoses of mental illness are often of the variety, "Anybody who would do such a horrible thing must be mentally ill".

Except it was a liberal dem who suggested it here. But even at that, to commit such a horrible act would plainly point to a serious mental illness. I would say that without question the person who KNIFED four persons to death in Idaho must have some major mental health issues.

What kind of gun regulation do you propose to reduce mass shootings?

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

Except it was a liberal dem who suggested it here.

This Republican was first ascertaining motive, had not yet dug into weaponry abuse.

A repub in name only.

I'd still like to know what kind of gun regulation would reduce mass killings.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

I'd still like to know what kind of gun regulation would reduce mass killings.

Single-shot .22s and BBs for women over 50. No one else can own or use a gun. When I get to heaven soon, I plan to fuse all gun and cannon etc. barrels to make them inoperable.

And now perhaps a serious suggestion.

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Originally Posted by jlisenbe

And now perhaps a serious suggestion.

Guns are stupid and shouldn't exist. Just you wait!!!

Spoken like a fake repub.

It's interesting to me to see how far people will go in appealing to alternative explanations in order to avoid having to deal with what is plainly a huge influence which is the that of a unhealthy culture. Well by George it just HAS to be better communications, doesn't it???

I think the alternatives are appealing because dealing with the real major cause would involve having to sacrifice some sacred cows.

Unfortunately, very unfortunately, there will always be an underground access to guns, no matter what the laws against them say.

As for improving family dynamics, where would one begin? And how?

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As for improving family dynamics, where would one begin? And how?

Start by honoring traditional families and laying aside the myth that single women having children is a good idea. You and I could start that here today.

The country could start the same kind of campaign in favor of families that it started to stop tobacco use.

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Originally Posted by Wondergirl

Unfortunately, very unfortunately, there will always be an underground access to guns,

Teenage children who profile as mass shooters do not have access to underground guns. They get the guns from buying them, or from their parents, or from their homes.

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As for improving family dynamics, where would one begin? And how?

Improving family dynamics is not remotely a solution to children killing children as mass shooters. Improving family dynamics has been going on since man first dropped out of trees and began to walk upright. For it to solve the problem of mass shootings, it would take another million years. It is simply another strategy to deflect away from gun control.

The problem is NOW.