Fact check: What is the correlation between mass shootings and political extremism in the USA?

1. Summary of the results

The correlation between mass shootings and political extremism in the USA is a complex issue, with various analyses providing different insights. According to the ADL Center on Extremism report, most murders (26 of 29) in 2021 were committed by right-wing extremists ^[1], indicating a correlation between mass shootings and political extremism in the USA. The research by the National Institute of Justice found that most individuals who engaged in mass shootings used handguns (77.2%) and were in a state of crisis ^[2], which may be linked to political extremism. Additionally, experts warn that recent school shootings show growth in a new radicalization pattern, where attacks are examples of 'nonideological' terrorism ^[3], resulting from several antisocial, decentralized, online networks coming together. The Anti-Defamation League also found that all extremist mass killings in the US in 2022 were linked to the far right ^[4], with white supremacist propaganda reaching an all-time high in 2022. However, some analyses suggest that the motivations behind mass shootings can be complex and non-ideological, with some shooters having a mix of right-wing and left-wing political views ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some key context missing from the original statement includes the role of mental illness in mass shootings, which is complicated, and nearly all persons who engage in mass shootings were in a state of crisis ^[2]. Additionally, the growing threat of white supremacist extremism ^[4] and the need for a comprehensive approach to address this issue are important considerations. Alternative viewpoints include the idea that mass shootings can be examples of 'nonideological' terrorism ^[3], and that some shooters may have a complex mix of political views ^[5]. It is also important to consider the methodology used to track extremist-related murders ^[6] and the challenges of determining the motivations behind these killings. Furthermore, the End Domestic Terrorism Act ^[7] aims to allow law enforcement to prosecute mass shootings as acts of terrorism, highlighting the need to address domestic terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be biased towards implying a direct correlation between mass shootings and political extremism, when in fact the issue is more complex. Some analyses suggest that mass shootings can be examples of 'nonideological' terrorism ^[3], and that some shooters may have a complex mix of political views ^[5], which may not fit into a straightforward narrative of political extremism. Additionally, the emphasis on right-wing extremism ^{[1] [4]} may overlook the role of other forms of extremism, such as far-left extremism, which is also a growing concern ^[8]. The Anti-Defamation League and other organizations may benefit from emphasizing the threat of right-wing extremism, while other groups may benefit from downplaying this threat and emphasizing the complexity of the issue ^[5]. Ultimately, a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the correlation between mass shootings and political extremism is necessary to address this complex issue ^[6].