Gender-Based Mass Shootings: An Examination of Attacks Motivated by Grievances Against Women

Abstract

This study provides a quantitative examination of gender-based mass shootings in America from 1966–2018. Gender-based mass shootings refer to attacks motivated by grievances against women, divided into four categories based on a specific woman or women in general, as well as whether they directly target the source of their grievances. Findings indicate that specific woman–targeted shooters were the most common and significantly different from their counterparts in their domestic violence history, racial diversity, and engagement in spree attacks. When comparing all gender-based attacks against other mass shootings, significant differences include relationship status, children, domestic violence history, substance abuse history, and suicide. This investigation provides implications for gender and mass shooting scholars, as well as practitioners developing strategies for intervention and prevention.

The role of grievance in fatal family violence and implications for the construct of lone actor grievance-fuelled violence

“…To address the third research question, this study considered any evidence that those engaging in LAGFH had also engaged in family violence. Spencer and Stith (2018) found that prior family violence constitutes a risk factor for intimate partner homicide and that there is increasing anecdotal evidence of a history of family violence amongst mass killers ( Everytown for Gun Safety, 2021 ; Freeman, 2017 ; Hamm and Spaaij, 2017 ; Taylor, 2018 ; Follman, 2019 ; McCulloch et al, 2019 ; Scaptura, 2019 ; DeVoe and Nicholson, 2020 ; McPhedran, 2020 ; Monckton Smith, 2020 ; Branigin, 2021 ; Rottweiler et al, 2021 ; Silva et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The lack of attention in the reviewed literature to FFV or family violence more broadly is surprising on the basis that, like FFV, LAGFV is highly gendered and involves severe violence. LAGFV is almost entirely the province of male perpetrators and some authors have suggested that gender and gender-related factors should be given a more central role in understanding the mechanisms underpinning LAGFV/H ( McCulloch et al, 2019 ; Scaptura, 2019 ; DeVoe and Nicholson, 2020 ; Rottweiler et al, 2021 ; Silva et al, 2021 ). McCulloch et al (2019) undertook a gendered analysis of several cases of lone actor terrorism, noting the lack of attention to gender and violence against women in this field, despite the availability of information.…”

“…Two other reviews suggest that broader gender-related factors are relevant to a substantial sub-group of LAFGH. Silva et al (2021) specifically examined gender-based mass shootings, finding that 34% of all public mass shootings in the United States between 1966 and 2018 were motivated by grievances against women. When confined to the years 2010 to 2018, that increased to 45%.…”

Age at first alcohol use and weapon carrying among adolescents: Findings from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

“…The gender socialization process whereby boys are taught to be boys may also help explain why adolescent males are more likely to report carrying a weapon than their female counterparts. Various studies have found that most violent crimes, school shootings, domestic violence, and sexual violence are perpetrated by boys or men ( Fleming et al, 2015 ; Silva et al, 2021 ; Van Doorn et al, 2021 ). Given the well-established relationship between alcohol use and future violent behavior such as weapon carrying, coupled with the gendered findings on violence, developing interventions that target boys would likely be an effective measure to reduce violence and other risk factors.…”

A Sequence Analysis of the Behaviors and Experiences of the Deadliest Public Mass Shooters

“…For example, one frequently considered factor is the presence (or absence) of mental illness (Dutton et al, 2013; Fox & Fridel, 2016; Gill et al, 2017; Lankford & Cowan, 2020; Metzl & MacLeish, 2015; Vossekuil et al, 2002). The spectrum of factors considered also includes criminal histories (DeLisi & Scherer, 2006; DeLisi & Walters, 2011), fame-seeking behaviors (Lankford, 2016; Silva & Greene-Colozzi, 2019b), illegal drug use (Miller et al, 2020), masculinity norms (Kalish & Kimmel, 2010; Madfis, 2014; Silva et al, 2021), and contagion and copycat effects (Boyd & Molyneux, 2021; Lankford & Tomek, 2018; Towers et al, 2018). Findings from these studies are commonly couched in terms of frequencies.…”