Mass shootings: How often were background checks, assault weapons and red flags a factor?

[rangerrebew]

 Mass shootings: How often were background checks, assault weapons and red flags a factor?
 
August 31, 2019 John Woolfolk - The Mercury News
 

In the wake of three deadly shootings in Gilroy, Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, Congress is being pressured to consider a trio of gun laws — already used in California and other states — designed to keep weapons out of the hands of potential killers.

But would universal background checks, red flag laws and a ban of assault weapons reduce the bloodshed? This news organization looked at three years worth of recent active shooter incidents from 2016 through 2018 compiled by the FBI to see how often they involved background check loopholes, disturbing “red flag” signals from the shooter beforehand, and military-style assault weapons.

In more than two-thirds of the 75 cases reviewed, the shooters telegraphed their troubled state on social media, in remarks or messages to friends or family or with signs of mental illness or distress.

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2019/08/mass-shootings-how-often-were-background-checks-assault-weapons-and-red-flags-a-factor/

[PeteS in CA]

Mass shootings: How often were background checks, assault weapons and red flags a factor?
 
August 31, 2019 John Woolfolk - The Mercury News
 

In the wake of three deadly shootings in Gilroy, Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas, Congress is being pressured to consider a trio of gun laws — already used in California and other states — designed to keep weapons out of the hands of potential killers.

But would universal background checks, red flag laws and a ban of assault weapons reduce the bloodshed? This news organization looked at three years worth of recent active shooter incidents from 2016 through 2018 compiled by the FBI to see how often they involved background check loopholes, disturbing “red flag” signals from the shooter beforehand, and military-style assault weapons.

In more than two-thirds of the 75 cases reviewed, the shooters telegraphed their troubled state on social media, in remarks or messages to friends or family or with signs of mental illness or distress.

https://americanmilitarynews.com/2019/08/mass-shootings-how-often-were-background-checks-assault-weapons-and-red-flags-a-factor/

Only 2/3? More seriously, if existing laws had been applied, many of these shootings would have been prevented. E.G., the Parkland shooting, where the school system and local sheriff's department had known for years that the shooter was violent, but just never got around to the criminal prosecution or mental commitment that would have made the guy unable to purchase a gun at a gun store (which he did). Or the Sutherland Springs church shooter who would have been unable to purchase a gun at a gun store had the USAF properly reported the shooter's court martial for domestic violence.