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Fact check: How many mass shootings in the USA have been done by trans people since 2010?
1. Summary of the results
The available data and research suggest that the majority of mass shootings in the USA are perpetrated by men who are not transgender [1]. According to a report from the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Association Center, 96% of attackers were men, 3% women, and 2% transgender from 2016 to 2020 [2]. Additionally, only one suspect out of 200 mass shootings examined by the Violence Prevention Project was transgender [2]. Another analysis notes that 4 shooters out of over 300 mass shooters since 2009 are transgender or non-binary, which is just 1.3 percent of all shooters [3]. It is also important to note that trans people are more likely to be victims of violence than others [1].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Some sources highlight the importance of considering nihilistic violent extremism, which is a search for fame and infamy among an online community, rather than focusing on the gender identity of the perpetrators [4]. Others emphasize that there is no evidence to support the claim that trans people are more prone to violence or mass shootings [1]. Furthermore, fact sheets debunk the concept of 'trans terrorism' and other false claims about trans people and violence, stating that there is no evidence to support the claim that trans people are more prone to violence and that they are actually more likely to be victims of crime [5]. Some sources do not provide information on the number of mass shootings done by trans people in the USA since 2010 [6] [7] [8], which could be an important context to consider.
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement may be misleading or biased as it implies that there is a significant number of mass shootings perpetrated by trans people, which is not supported by the available data [1] [2] [3]. This framing may benefit those who seek to perpetuate negative stereotypes about trans people, while harming the trans community by perpetuating stigma and discrimination [5]. On the other hand, presenting accurate information about the low number of mass shootings perpetrated by trans people may benefit the trans community by reducing stigma and promoting understanding [1] [5].