Examining the effects of firearm lethality and aggressors’ intentions to kill on injurious firearm violence at American schools

A research note

Datos Bibliográficos

ID9680009
AutoresBrent R Klein (0000-0002-4428-280X, University of South Carolina Columbia South Carolina USA, autor de correspondencia), Cory Schnell (0000-0002-4034-0953, University of South Carolina Columbia South Carolina USA), Steven M Chermak (0000-0001-5210-1143, Michigan State University East Lansing Michigan USA), Joshua D Freilich (0000-0001-9538-8551, John Jay College of Criminal Justice)
Año2025
Volumen63
Número3
Páginas673-686
Fecha de publicación2025-08-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCriminology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0011-1384 • E-ISSN: 1745-9125
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1745-9125.70005
OpenAlexW4414286952
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas31

This study examined firearm lethality and aggressors’ lethal intent on injurious fatal and nonfatal school shootings using data from The American School Shooting Study, which covers 329 school shootings in the United States from 1990 to 2016. We developed a new multidimensional construct for measuring shooters’ determination to kill and examined firearm characteristics while considering confounding factors. We identified 11 distinct categories of shooters’ intent, with most showing a strong desire to kill. Both intent and weapon lethality significantly impacted school shooting homicides. Overall, we recommend that prevention and theoretical models should address both factors

Gun violence · Injury prevention · Lethality · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Suicide prevention · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Gun Ownership and Violence Research · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Suicide and Self-Harm Studies