Fact check: What percentage of mass shootings in the USA were committed by individuals with a known LGBTQ+ identity?

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided do not offer a direct answer to the question regarding the percentage of mass shootings in the USA committed by individuals with a known LGBTQ+ identity ^[1]. However, they do provide insight into the relationship between LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people, and mass shootings. According to ^[2], research shows that the majority of mass shootings are perpetrated by men who are not transgender, and there is no evidence to suggest that trans people are more prone to violence or mass shootings, with less than 1% of mass shootings committed by transgender people ^[2]. ^[3] also contradicts the claim, stating that there is no evidence to support the idea that transgender people are disproportionately responsible for mass violence events in the U.S., with fewer than a handful of over 1,000 mass casualty plots since 2023 perpetrated by a transgender individual ^[3]. Similarly, ^[4] reports that less than 0.1% of mass shootings have been committed by transgender individuals since January 2013, based on data from the Gun Violence Archive ^[4]. ^[2] reiterates that research shows the majority of mass shootings are perpetrated by men who are not transgender, with no evidence that trans people are more prone to violence or committing mass shootings ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key missing context in the original statement is the definition of LGBTQ+ identity and how it is determined in the context of mass shootings ^[1]. The analyses primarily focus on transgender individuals, with limited discussion on other aspects of LGBTQ+ identity ^{[4] [2]}. Another missing context is the comparison of violence rates between LGBTQ+ individuals and the general population, which could provide a more nuanced understanding of the issue ^[3]. Alternative viewpoints, such as the role of mental health and socioeconomic factors in mass shootings, are also not fully explored in the provided analyses ^[2]. Furthermore, the impact of online subcultures that venerates mass shooters, as mentioned in ^[3], could be a significant factor worth investigating further.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading by implying a significant correlation between LGBTQ+ identity and mass shootings, which is not supported by the analyses ^{[2] [4]}. This framing could stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community and distract from more significant factors contributing to mass shootings, such as gun control and mental health ^[3]. The beneficiaries of this misinformation could be groups opposing LGBTQ+ rights, who might use such claims to further their agendas ^[1]. On the other hand, advocates for LGBTQ+ rights and gun control might benefit from a more nuanced discussion that highlights the lack of evidence linking LGBTQ+ identity to mass shootings and emphasizes the need for comprehensive solutions to address gun violence ^[2].