America Under Fire: An Examination of Mass and Active Shootings in the United States

• In Event: Poster Session I

Abstract

Mass and active shootings are criminological phenomenon that have been present in our culture as long as guns have existed. After every incident involving a mass or active shooting, the public believes there are obvious warning signs leading up to the incident. The following paper will provide insight to mass and active shootings, more specifically, school and workplace shootings. The paper examines definitional issues that are present and why those definitional issues create bigger problems when attempting to eradicate the problem of mass and active shootings. Along with definitional issues, this paper will discuss the criminological theories, general strain theory and routine activities theory, that can be connected to this heinous crime. These criminological theories will then be examined to provide sound policy recommendations that do not violate the constitution or any of the relevant supreme court findings surrounding the Second Amendment.

Authors

• Kelli Christine Hardin, Saint Vincent College

• Sarah E Daly, St. Vincent College