Unveiling the Truth: Debunking the Myth of 18 School Shootings
Hello there, guys! We're diving into a serious topic today, one that's been surrounded by misinformation and myth. You might have heard about the "18 school shootings" narrative, but we're here to set the record straight and debunk this false claim. So, buckle up as we explore this contentious issue, providing you with accurate information and shedding light on the truth behind this widely circulated myth. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and 18 school shootings false.
The Origin of the "18 School Shootings" Claim
Before we dive into the debunking, let's first understand where this claim originates. The "18 school shootings" narrative emerged in the aftermath of the tragic Parkland shooting in 2018. Gun control advocates sought to emphasize the frequency of school shootings in the United States, using this number to support their argument for stricter gun laws.
However, the problem lies in the methodology used to arrive at this figure. The claim often includes incidents that do not meet the definition of a school shooting, leading to a distorted perception of the issue.
What Defines a School Shooting?
To accurately assess the prevalence of school shootings, we must first agree on a definition. For the purpose of this article, we'll use the Everytown for Gun Safety definition, which states that a school shooting is an incident where a firearm is discharged on school property, resulting in injury or death, excluding gang-related violence and accidents.
Debunking the "18 School Shootings" Myth
Now, let's dive into the debunking process, examining the 18 incidents often cited to support this claim and clarifying whether they truly qualify as school shootings.
1. Columbine High School (1999)
The Columbine shooting is one of the most infamous school shootings in American history. The tragic event, which resulted in the deaths of 13 people, is a clear example of a school shooting and is included in most accurate tallies.
2. Red Lake Senior High School (2005)
The Red Lake shooting, which left 10 dead, including the shooter, is also typically included in school shooting statistics. It meets the criteria of a school shooting, as the incident occurred on school property and involved the discharge of a firearm.
3. Virginia Tech (2007)
Initially, the Virginia Tech shooting was not included in the "18 school shootings" narrative, as it was considered a workplace shooting rather than a school shooting. However, some later revised their lists to include this tragic event, which resulted in 32 deaths.
4. Chardon High School (2012)
The Chardon High School shooting, which left three students dead, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. This shooting meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
5. Sandy Hook Elementary School (2012)
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including 20 children, is another tragic event that is included in most accurate tallies of school shootings.
6. Reynolds High School (2014)
The Reynolds High School shooting, which left one student dead, is another incident that meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
7. Marysville-Pilchuck High School (2014)
The Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting, which resulted in five deaths, including the shooter, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. This shooting meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
8. Umpqua Community College (2015)
The Umpqua Community College shooting, which left 10 dead, is another incident that is often included in school shooting statistics. It meets the criteria of a school shooting, as the incident occurred on school property and involved the discharge of a firearm.
9. Northpark Elementary School (2016)
The Northpark Elementary School shooting, which left one teacher dead, is another incident that meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
10. Townville Elementary School (2016)
The Townville Elementary School shooting, which resulted in the death of one student, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. This shooting meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
11. Freeman High School (2017)
The Freeman High School shooting, which left one student dead, is another incident that meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
12. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (2018)
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, which resulted in 17 deaths, is another tragic event that is included in most accurate tallies of school shootings.
13. Santa Fe High School (2018)
The Santa Fe High School shooting, which left 10 dead, is another incident that meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
14. Noblesville West Middle School (2018)
The Noblesville West Middle School shooting, which resulted in one student's death, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. This shooting meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
15. Cumberland County Schools (2018)
The Cumberland County Schools shooting, which left one student dead, is another incident that meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
16. California State University, Northridge (2018)
The California State University, Northridge shooting, which resulted in one death, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
17. Great Mills High School (2018)
The Great Mills High School shooting, which left one student dead, is another incident that meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
18. STEM School Highlands Ranch (2019)
The STEM School Highlands Ranch shooting, which resulted in one student's death, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. This shooting meets the definition of a school shooting and is typically included in accurate tallies.
The Incidents That Don't Qualify
Now, let's examine some of the incidents that are often included in the "18 school shootings" narrative but do not meet the definition of a school shooting.
1. Appalachian School of Law (2002)
The Appalachian School of Law shooting, which left three dead, is often included in the "18 school shootings" narrative. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
2. Aurora, Colorado (2012)
The Aurora, Colorado shooting, which resulted in 12 deaths, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred at a movie theater rather than a school.
3. Newtown, Connecticut (2012)
The Newtown, Connecticut shooting, which resulted in 26 deaths, is another incident that is often included in the "18 school shootings" narrative. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School, which is already included in accurate tallies of school shootings.
4. Grambling State University (2014)
The Grambling State University shooting, which left one student dead, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
5. Texas Southern University (2014)
The Texas Southern University shooting, which resulted in one death, is another incident that is often included in the "18 school shootings" narrative. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
6. Seattle Pacific University (2014)
The Seattle Pacific University shooting, which left one student dead, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
7. Northern Arizona University (2015)
The Northern Arizona University shooting, which resulted in one death, is another incident that is often included in the "18 school shootings" narrative. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
8. Umpqua Community College (2015)
The Umpqua Community College shooting, which left 10 dead, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred at a community college rather than a K-12 school.
9. Texas A&M University-Commerce (2017)
The Texas A&M University-Commerce shooting, which resulted in one death, is another incident that is often included in the "18 school shootings" narrative. However, it's important to note that this shooting occurred on a college campus rather than a K-12 school.
10. Aztec High School (2017)
The Aztec High School shooting, which left two students dead, is another incident that is often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim. However, it's important to note that this shooting was not motivated by school-related issues and involved gang-related violence, which is typically excluded from school shooting tallies.
The Truth Behind the Numbers
As we've seen, many of the incidents often cited in support of the "18 school shootings" claim do not meet the definition of a school shooting. When we exclude these incidents and focus only on school shootings that match the agreed-upon definition, we find that the number is significantly lower.
According to the Everytown for Gun Safety database, there have been 285 school shootings in the United States since 2013. However, this figure includes incidents that resulted in injury or death, as well as those that did not. When we focus only on incidents that resulted in injury or death, the number drops to 171.
While 171 school shootings is still a shocking and tragic figure, it's important to note that this number is more than three times lower than the "18 school