If you look up "list or rampage killers" on Wikipedia, it gives you a list you can sort through. They define a rampage killing (or a spree killing) as essentially one with at least six dead victims (not including the perpetrator), or with at least ten dead plus injured. With that, you get a number of 20 in the United States since 1982.
However, that's only if you don't count vehicular manslaughter rampages, which would raise the number to 24, but that doesn't really factor into a discussion on gun control. That also leaves out intentional arsons resulting in mass casualties (two since 1982), intentional plane crashes (one), and terrorist bombings committed by American citizens, such as Timothy McVeigh and Eric Rudolph.
But it's entirely true that other countries have their share of rampage killings. It's not really an American phenomenon, it's just that American events get the press coverage. Personally I think that the overall level of gun-related violence is a better argument for more gun regulations than any killing spree incidents. People who truly want to kill a lot of other people are the outliers. Much more damage is caused by everyday gun violence, and I wouldn't be surprised if more people shoot themselves or someone else accidentally every year than have been killed in all the gun-related rampages in US history combined (but I don't have a number on that).
However, that's only if you don't count vehicular manslaughter rampages, which would raise the number to 24, but that doesn't really factor into a discussion on gun control. That also leaves out intentional arsons resulting in mass casualties (two since 1982), intentional plane crashes (one), and terrorist bombings committed by American citizens, such as Timothy McVeigh and Eric Rudolph.
But it's entirely true that other countries have their share of rampage killings. It's not really an American phenomenon, it's just that American events get the press coverage. Personally I think that the overall level of gun-related violence is a better argument for more gun regulations than any killing spree incidents. People who truly want to kill a lot of other people are the outliers. Much more damage is caused by everyday gun violence, and I wouldn't be surprised if more people shoot themselves or someone else accidentally every year than have been killed in all the gun-related rampages in US history combined (but I don't have a number on that).
Warder to starry_nite
Chapterfish — Nate's Writing Blog
http://chapterfish.wordpress.com
Chapterfish — Nate's Writing Blog
http://chapterfish.wordpress.com
Do you have strong feelings/opinions about gun control?
- 25/07/2012 05:48:56 AM
1494 Views
Kind of?
- 25/07/2012 05:59:39 AM
943 Views
Agreed
- 25/07/2012 06:20:44 AM
810 Views
Re: Agreed
- 25/07/2012 06:29:16 AM
929 Views
A lot of people are uncomfortable about homsexuality. Let's ban that too.
- 25/07/2012 09:26:46 PM
918 Views
I'm pro-guns, but I don't think I have strong feelings about anything
- 25/07/2012 07:36:31 AM
853 Views
Pretty strong (as someone born, raised and living outside the US)
- 25/07/2012 11:23:52 AM
942 Views
Inevitable thread, but mostly I feel people enters this debate without knowing enough about guns
- 25/07/2012 02:05:12 PM
1097 Views
I have to admit that I didn't read most of that, sorry.
- 25/07/2012 02:47:05 PM
993 Views
- 25/07/2012 02:47:05 PM
993 Views
Re: I have to admit that I didn't read most of that, sorry.
- 25/07/2012 03:00:07 PM
868 Views
- 25/07/2012 03:00:07 PM
868 Views
Re:
- 25/07/2012 03:30:44 PM
908 Views
My dad's gun were stolen and the police said they didn't need to even take fingerprints
- 25/07/2012 06:58:36 PM
932 Views
I understand, but you probably should if time permits
- 25/07/2012 03:49:49 PM
1069 Views
It is unlikely to, for a while.
- 25/07/2012 10:37:30 PM
950 Views
Oh, but you have time to read Cannoli though
- 26/07/2012 01:10:50 AM
888 Views
- 26/07/2012 01:10:50 AM
888 Views
... his was shorter?
- 26/07/2012 02:41:48 PM
810 Views
Yeah but mine had diagrams!
- 26/07/2012 03:46:49 PM
891 Views
I do sometimes need pictures.
- 26/07/2012 04:55:17 PM
749 Views
Where exactly did you get those numbers?
- 27/07/2012 07:23:31 PM
903 Views
He's right as far as numbers go.
- 27/07/2012 08:08:02 PM
944 Views
Wikipedia, the unchallenged source for acurate and complete citation
- 27/07/2012 08:19:40 PM
977 Views
Sorry, I totally forgot about this post, hadn't noticed your replies.
- 31/07/2012 07:42:43 PM
896 Views
I'm not surprised there were missing incidents
- 31/07/2012 08:18:04 PM
869 Views
Norway? Scotland?
- 25/07/2012 09:31:49 PM
848 Views
And yet, the people who do these things tend to be more respectful of guns
- 25/07/2012 03:44:31 PM
858 Views
Well working with dangeorus items tends to lead to respect and caution or a Darwin Award
- 25/07/2012 04:52:13 PM
904 Views
I have no problem with guns, but I agree that assault weapons shouldn't be legal for ordinary people
- 25/07/2012 02:56:38 PM
941 Views
Re: guns
- 25/07/2012 03:07:30 PM
960 Views
what is the basis for your argument that people would have panicked and forgotten their guns?
- 25/07/2012 04:45:46 PM
817 Views
My basis is that people are people - subject to panic, confusion, and fear. *NM*
- 25/07/2012 05:46:58 PM
483 Views
Most people who regularly carry weapons reach for them when spooked, in my experience
- 25/07/2012 06:14:57 PM
868 Views
Re: Most people who regularly carry weapons reach for them when spooked, in my experience
- 25/07/2012 06:45:02 PM
969 Views
Putting your hand on something is a little different then shooting someone
- 25/07/2012 08:13:59 PM
824 Views
The problem with banning assualt weapons is the defention is mostly cosmetic
- 25/07/2012 05:29:35 PM
814 Views
Bullshit
- 26/07/2012 01:52:59 PM
958 Views
I call Bullshit on your Bullshit
- 26/07/2012 02:59:09 PM
874 Views
Or
- 26/07/2012 03:20:12 PM
782 Views
There a lot of us with military training and some were in that theater
- 26/07/2012 03:43:52 PM
793 Views
HE was talking about normal people.
- 26/07/2012 04:53:16 PM
904 Views
i have pretty strong feelings that they should be better regulated than they currently are
- 25/07/2012 03:18:10 PM
812 Views
Correct me if I'm wrong....
- 25/07/2012 03:53:07 PM
1039 Views
I believe it was the ammunition he bought in large amounts online, not the guns themselves.
- 25/07/2012 07:22:31 PM
844 Views
Yes and I am glad it's not my problem.
- 25/07/2012 06:41:56 PM
952 Views
Well, you're missing the flaw in your reasoning...probably because you're appallingly ignorant
- 25/07/2012 09:19:18 PM
1039 Views
Come back when you can discuss something without attacking someone.
- 26/07/2012 12:58:47 AM
837 Views
Dude, your burglary argument makes no sense
- 25/07/2012 11:09:37 PM
846 Views
They don't bring guns here. Huh. *NM*
- 26/07/2012 12:59:15 AM
413 Views
they don't typically bring guns here either
- 26/07/2012 02:01:14 AM
951 Views
That's how I understand it too but I'm dubious, many criminals are dumber than a bag of hammers
- 26/07/2012 02:22:18 AM
804 Views
Like I've always said, you can't un-invent the gun
- 25/07/2012 11:05:22 PM
814 Views
the argument of if America should have a lot guns is a long over
- 26/07/2012 03:29:50 PM
784 Views
See, there's another one of those BS stats tricks, 'family members' includes suicides and murder
- 26/07/2012 06:47:54 PM
811 Views
Sure, but you can legislate certain excessive firearms.
- 26/07/2012 09:41:12 PM
902 Views
assault rifles are banned
- 26/07/2012 10:51:28 PM
856 Views
I know the distinction. That's why I want a more clearly defined term for "assault weapon."
- 27/07/2012 09:46:11 AM
980 Views
Then stay away from the hyperbole because an Uzi is a sub machinegun so it is banned
- 27/07/2012 01:48:50 PM
831 Views
