Mass shootings often spark a wide-ranging search for meaning, with entirely understandable motivations. Many mass shooters leave manifestos, hoping to cloak their violent actions in noble speech. There have been about 198 mass shootings so far this year, an average of about 10 mass shooting incidents a week, according to the Gun Violence Archive. After covering the aftermath of many mass shootings, I’m increasingly ambivalent about participating in this outcry for meaning. There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that the coverage and attention paid to mass shooters offers notoriety that motivates more shooters.

Source: Los Angeles Times May 19, 2022 20:03 UTC