Thank you for this rec! I don’t know that book but will check it out. And yes— in the article I linked to on laws that could reduce the risk of shootings, I mentioned research suggesting that more than one fifth of mass shootings are related to domestic disputes and domestic violence. It’s so awful.
Every time details emerge about shooters in the aftermath of violence, we learn that there were warning signs that were ignored or not properly addressed. There's discourse about who should be punished, how they should be punished, where the guns came from, what doors should have been locked, and on and on.
But what we don't often hear about is this NTAC research on ways communities can work together to prevent mass shootings.
Yesterday I shared on of Sharon McMahon's (sharonsaysso) instagram posts to my story about gun violence in schools. Then I scrolled down and that's when I first learned about Nashville. That I wouldn't even question if there was yet another preventable shooting, but just share a post because it's always relevant, is horrifying.
I am SO ANGRY. We live in Tennessee (we're in Knoxville, which is ~3 hours east of Nashville) , and here is some reporting about our legislature from yesterday and surrounding gun legislation:
"The Senate and House planned to gavel in Monday evening and then adjourn out of respect for the victims."
and
"[State Senator] Campbell, in part, blames what she calls a 'diseased gun culture' for the shooting deaths. Tennessee passed a permitless carry law in July 2021 allowing anyone except felons, two-time DUI offenders and stalkers to carry handguns without a state permit process.
The law applies to residents 21 and older, but bills are moving this year in the General Assembly to lower the age limit to 18.
Campbell said when she spoke out against the legislation two years ago on the Senate floor, the bill’s sponsor told her 'this is the price we pay for freedom.'"
Our children are 2 and 5 and go to a Montessori school for a variety of reasons, among which is my fear of them being shot in elementary school. Yes, of course, it is rare and relatively unlikely even though it doesn't feel that way, but it is still possible. And I live in Tennessee with these absurd gun laws where people drive around with gun family decals on the backs of their pickup trucks. I feel helpless. When I write my representatives, I get canned responses about the 2nd Amendments, like an algorithm read my (handwritten!) letter, grabbed some keywords, and sent back the most closely-fitting form letter. All of it is infuriating.
My kids are 19, 15 and 13. The older two especially access news on their own and the youngest to some extent. We have many conversations about guns. I have had clients and colleagues’ clients murdered. My husband is a trauma surgeon and sees too many gunshot wounds. And yet, I feel weighted down by the possibility of talking to them after every mass shooting. There are too f-ing many.
Just wanted to recommend the book No Visible Bruises. More than not, these crimes are linked to intimate partner or familial violence.
Thank you for this rec! I don’t know that book but will check it out. And yes— in the article I linked to on laws that could reduce the risk of shootings, I mentioned research suggesting that more than one fifth of mass shootings are related to domestic disputes and domestic violence. It’s so awful.
More research worth looking into that I wish more people knew about: The National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC; pronounced "En-Tac") has analyzed data from mass shootings for decade and have used their research to develop a framework for preventing mass attacks. Here's the report on averted mass attacks in schools: https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2021-03/USSS%20Averting%20Targeted%20School%20Violence.2021.03.pdf
Every time details emerge about shooters in the aftermath of violence, we learn that there were warning signs that were ignored or not properly addressed. There's discourse about who should be punished, how they should be punished, where the guns came from, what doors should have been locked, and on and on.
But what we don't often hear about is this NTAC research on ways communities can work together to prevent mass shootings.
Thank you for sharing! I’ll read more about this!!!
I've already forwarded that Scientific American study to a lot of people. Thanks, Melinda. I am just devastated. Again.
Yesterday I shared on of Sharon McMahon's (sharonsaysso) instagram posts to my story about gun violence in schools. Then I scrolled down and that's when I first learned about Nashville. That I wouldn't even question if there was yet another preventable shooting, but just share a post because it's always relevant, is horrifying.
Thank you for these resources, Melinda.
I am SO ANGRY. We live in Tennessee (we're in Knoxville, which is ~3 hours east of Nashville) , and here is some reporting about our legislature from yesterday and surrounding gun legislation:
"The Senate and House planned to gavel in Monday evening and then adjourn out of respect for the victims."
and
"[State Senator] Campbell, in part, blames what she calls a 'diseased gun culture' for the shooting deaths. Tennessee passed a permitless carry law in July 2021 allowing anyone except felons, two-time DUI offenders and stalkers to carry handguns without a state permit process.
The law applies to residents 21 and older, but bills are moving this year in the General Assembly to lower the age limit to 18.
Campbell said when she spoke out against the legislation two years ago on the Senate floor, the bill’s sponsor told her 'this is the price we pay for freedom.'"
If you'd like to read the original article, it is here: https://tennesseelookout.com/2023/03/27/three-children-and-shooter-dead-after-massing-shooting-at-covenant-school-in-green-hills/
Our children are 2 and 5 and go to a Montessori school for a variety of reasons, among which is my fear of them being shot in elementary school. Yes, of course, it is rare and relatively unlikely even though it doesn't feel that way, but it is still possible. And I live in Tennessee with these absurd gun laws where people drive around with gun family decals on the backs of their pickup trucks. I feel helpless. When I write my representatives, I get canned responses about the 2nd Amendments, like an algorithm read my (handwritten!) letter, grabbed some keywords, and sent back the most closely-fitting form letter. All of it is infuriating.
My kids are 19, 15 and 13. The older two especially access news on their own and the youngest to some extent. We have many conversations about guns. I have had clients and colleagues’ clients murdered. My husband is a trauma surgeon and sees too many gunshot wounds. And yet, I feel weighted down by the possibility of talking to them after every mass shooting. There are too f-ing many.