News Humans

Are researchers asking the right questions to prevent mass shootings?

Learning how to thwart such events may be more effective than analyzing culprits’ backgrounds

Dayton Ohio mass shooting

SEEKING ANSWERS Concern over recent mass public shootings, including this one in Dayton, Ohio, August 4 that left 10 people including the gunman dead, may inspire a scientific focus on practical ways to prevent such attacks rather than trying to understand perpetrators’ backgrounds and motives.

John Minchillo/ASSOCIATED PRESS

By Bruce Bower

- More than 2 years ago

Two decades ago, two students opened fire at Colorado’s Columbine High School, killing 12 of their classmates and a teacher before turning their guns on themselves.