Fact check: What is the correlation between mass shootings and extremist ideologies in the USA?

1. Summary of the results

The correlation between mass shootings and extremist ideologies in the USA is a complex issue, with various analyses providing insights into this relationship. According to ^[1], right-wing extremists were responsible for the majority of extremist-related murders in 2021, with 26 out of 29 killings committed by individuals associated with right-wing extremist movements ^[1]. Additionally, ^[2] notes that many mass shooters study past mass shooters and are radicalized online, which could be related to extremist ideologies ^[2]. Furthermore, ^[3] suggests that the rise of online platforms and the shift in leadership from Obama to Trump may have contributed to an increase in mass shootings perpetrated by right-wing extremists since 2015 ^[3]. Other analyses, such as ^[4] and ^[5], highlight the growing concern of 'nonideological' terrorism, where individuals are motivated by a desire for violence rather than a specific ideology ^{[4] [5]}. The ADL Center on Extremism report found that in 2021, domestic extremists killed at least 29 people in the United States, with most of the murders committed by right-wing extremists, indicating a correlation between extremist ideologies and mass shootings ^[1]. Key findings include:

• The majority of extremist-related murders in 2021 were committed by right-wing extremists ^[1]
• Many mass shooters are radicalized online and study past mass shooters ^[2]
• The rise of online platforms and shift in leadership may have contributed to an increase in mass shootings perpetrated by right-wing extremists ^[3]
• 'Nonideological' terrorism is a growing concern, where individuals are motivated by a desire for violence rather than a specific ideology ^{[4] [5]}

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some analyses suggest that mental health and personal trauma may also play a role in mass shootings, with ^[2] noting that most mass shooters were troubled by personal trauma, in a state of crisis, and often leaked their plans before the shooting ^[2]. Additionally, ^[6] highlights the growing threat of mass killings, with 62 extremist-connected mass killing incidents since 1970, and notes that most of these incidents were committed by right-wing extremists ^[6]. Alternative viewpoints include:

• The role of mental health and personal trauma in mass shootings ^[2]
• The growing threat of mass killings and the correlation with right-wing extremism ^[6]
• The influence of decentralized online networks that encourage and inspire mass violence ^[5]
• The potential for 'nonideological' terrorism to be a growing trend in mass shootings ^{[4] [5]}

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be too narrow in its focus on extremist ideologies, as some analyses suggest that mental health and personal trauma may also play a role in mass shootings ^[2]. Additionally, the statement may be biased towards right-wing extremism, as some analyses highlight the growing concern of 'nonideological' terrorism ^{[4] [5]}. Groups that may benefit from this framing include:

• Right-wing extremist groups, who may be able to downplay their role in mass shootings ^{[1] [3]}
• Mental health advocates, who may be able to highlight the importance of addressing mental health issues in preventing mass shootings ^[2]
• Law enforcement and counter-terrorism agencies, who may be able to use the correlation between extremist ideologies and mass shootings to inform their strategies and policies ^{[1] [3] [6]}