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
- 1443 Views
Kind of?
25/07/2012 05:59:39 AM
- 887 Views
Agreed
25/07/2012 06:20:44 AM
- 737 Views
Re: Agreed
25/07/2012 06:29:16 AM
- 884 Views
A lot of people are uncomfortable about homsexuality. Let's ban that too.
25/07/2012 09:26:46 PM
- 873 Views
I'm pro-guns, but I don't think I have strong feelings about anything
25/07/2012 07:36:31 AM
- 805 Views
Pretty strong (as someone born, raised and living outside the US)
25/07/2012 11:23:52 AM
- 884 Views
Inevitable thread, but mostly I feel people enters this debate without knowing enough about guns
25/07/2012 02:05:12 PM
- 1016 Views
I have to admit that I didn't read most of that, sorry.
25/07/2012 02:47:05 PM
- 922 Views

Re: I have to admit that I didn't read most of that, sorry.
25/07/2012 03:00:07 PM
- 824 Views

Re:
25/07/2012 03:30:44 PM
- 868 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
- 885 Views
I understand, but you probably should if time permits
25/07/2012 03:49:49 PM
- 1028 Views
It is unlikely to, for a while.
25/07/2012 10:37:30 PM
- 905 Views
Oh, but you have time to read Cannoli though
26/07/2012 01:10:50 AM
- 839 Views

... his was shorter?
26/07/2012 02:41:48 PM
- 765 Views
Yeah but mine had diagrams!
26/07/2012 03:46:49 PM
- 845 Views
I do sometimes need pictures.
26/07/2012 04:55:17 PM
- 693 Views
Where exactly did you get those numbers?
27/07/2012 07:23:31 PM
- 864 Views
He's right as far as numbers go.
27/07/2012 08:08:02 PM
- 898 Views
Wikipedia, the unchallenged source for acurate and complete citation
27/07/2012 08:19:40 PM
- 926 Views
Sorry, I totally forgot about this post, hadn't noticed your replies.
31/07/2012 07:42:43 PM
- 848 Views
I'm not surprised there were missing incidents
31/07/2012 08:18:04 PM
- 824 Views
Norway? Scotland?
25/07/2012 09:31:49 PM
- 797 Views
And yet, the people who do these things tend to be more respectful of guns
25/07/2012 03:44:31 PM
- 809 Views
Well working with dangeorus items tends to lead to respect and caution or a Darwin Award
25/07/2012 04:52:13 PM
- 858 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
- 873 Views
Re: guns
25/07/2012 03:07:30 PM
- 914 Views
what is the basis for your argument that people would have panicked and forgotten their guns?
25/07/2012 04:45:46 PM
- 772 Views
My basis is that people are people - subject to panic, confusion, and fear. *NM*
25/07/2012 05:46:58 PM
- 465 Views
Most people who regularly carry weapons reach for them when spooked, in my experience
25/07/2012 06:14:57 PM
- 817 Views
Re: Most people who regularly carry weapons reach for them when spooked, in my experience
25/07/2012 06:45:02 PM
- 922 Views
Putting your hand on something is a little different then shooting someone
25/07/2012 08:13:59 PM
- 777 Views
The problem with banning assualt weapons is the defention is mostly cosmetic
25/07/2012 05:29:35 PM
- 770 Views
Bullshit
26/07/2012 01:52:59 PM
- 914 Views
I call Bullshit on your Bullshit
26/07/2012 02:59:09 PM
- 827 Views
Or
26/07/2012 03:20:12 PM
- 734 Views
There a lot of us with military training and some were in that theater
26/07/2012 03:43:52 PM
- 747 Views
HE was talking about normal people.
26/07/2012 04:53:16 PM
- 851 Views
i have pretty strong feelings that they should be better regulated than they currently are
25/07/2012 03:18:10 PM
- 765 Views
Correct me if I'm wrong....
25/07/2012 03:53:07 PM
- 991 Views
I believe it was the ammunition he bought in large amounts online, not the guns themselves.
25/07/2012 07:22:31 PM
- 793 Views
Yes and I am glad it's not my problem.
25/07/2012 06:41:56 PM
- 906 Views
Well, you're missing the flaw in your reasoning...probably because you're appallingly ignorant
25/07/2012 09:19:18 PM
- 986 Views
Come back when you can discuss something without attacking someone.
26/07/2012 12:58:47 AM
- 794 Views
Dude, your burglary argument makes no sense
25/07/2012 11:09:37 PM
- 800 Views
They don't bring guns here. Huh. *NM*
26/07/2012 12:59:15 AM
- 397 Views
they don't typically bring guns here either
26/07/2012 02:01:14 AM
- 895 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
- 746 Views
Like I've always said, you can't un-invent the gun
25/07/2012 11:05:22 PM
- 765 Views
the argument of if America should have a lot guns is a long over
26/07/2012 03:29:50 PM
- 718 Views
See, there's another one of those BS stats tricks, 'family members' includes suicides and murder
26/07/2012 06:47:54 PM
- 755 Views
Sure, but you can legislate certain excessive firearms.
26/07/2012 09:41:12 PM
- 835 Views
assault rifles are banned
26/07/2012 10:51:28 PM
- 806 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
- 937 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
- 780 Views