From 2000 to 2022, a total number of 777 high schools had shootings in the United States. In comparison, 320 elementary schools and 162 middle or junior high schools had shootings within that time period.
Mass shootings in the United States
Schooling shootings have become a disturbingly common occurrence in the United States. The frequency of these instances relative to other developed countries highlights a potentially systemic problem. Mass shootings in general have become a persistent problem in the U.S., often occurring at nightclubs, bars, and grocery stores, in addition to educational institutions. As a result, the fear of getting shot at a school or a college has now spread even further, impacting Americans' daily lives and routines nationwide.
Gun culture in the U.S.
The majority of mass shooters in the United States are White and male. The most common type of weapon used in mass shootings in the U.S. is a handgun and the evidence suggests that the majority of the weapons used in mass shootings are obtained legally, bringing the availability of firearms into the spotlight. However, due to the Second Amendment of the Constitution which provides citizens with the right to bear arms, it seems unlikely that any gun control legislation will be passed on a national level. While some U.S. states have enacted their own gun safety policies, it is unlikely that America's gun problem will be solved unless the nation is able to work together.
Number of schools that had shootings in the United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by type of school
School shootings are defined as incidents when a firearm is brandished or fired or a bullet hits school property for any reason. Schools with multiple shootings are counted only once in total across years.
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NCES. (September 30, 2022). Number of schools that had shootings in the United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by type of school [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/407979/us-school-shootings-by-type-of-school/
NCES. "Number of schools that had shootings in the United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by type of school." Chart. September 30, 2022. Statista. Accessed December 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/407979/us-school-shootings-by-type-of-school/
NCES. (2022). Number of schools that had shootings in the United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by type of school. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 12, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/407979/us-school-shootings-by-type-of-school/
NCES. "Number of Schools That Had Shootings in The United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by Type of School." Statista, Statista Inc., 30 Sep 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/407979/us-school-shootings-by-type-of-school/
NCES, Number of schools that had shootings in the United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by type of school Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/407979/us-school-shootings-by-type-of-school/ (last visited December 12, 2024)
Number of schools that had shootings in the United States between 2000-01 and 2021-22, by type of school [Graph], NCES, September 30, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/407979/us-school-shootings-by-type-of-school/