Fact check: Multiple recent U.S. mass shooters were transgender or gender-fluid

1. Summary of the results

The claim that multiple recent U.S. mass shooters were transgender or gender-fluid is not supported by the majority of the analyses provided ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}. In fact, most sources explicitly refute this claim, stating that mass casualty shootings by individuals identifying as trans or nonbinary are rare and that these groups are more often victims ^[1]. Data from reputable sources shows that less than 1% of mass shootings have been committed by transgender individuals ^[5]. Additionally, experts agree that there is no evidence to suggest that transgender people are more prone to committing gun violence, with the majority of mass shootings perpetrated by men who are not transgender ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

A key piece of missing context is the lack of data on the gender identity of recent U.S. mass shooters in some sources ^{[7] [8]}, which neither supports nor directly addresses the claim. Alternative viewpoints suggest that the claim may be a result of a systemic misinformation campaign by the far right to scapegoat trans people and deflect criticism from gun control activists ^[4]. Furthermore, the speculation about the shooter's gender is often wrong and used to distract from the real issue of gun violence ^[3]. It is also important to consider the broader discussion of violence and identity, including hate crimes targeting the gay community ^[9].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misinforming the public by perpetuating a baseless claim that transgender people are disproportionately responsible for mass violence in America ^[2]. This misinformation can be harmful to the transgender community, which is already vulnerable to violence and discrimination. The far-right influencers and media outlets may benefit from this framing, as it allows them to distract from the real issue of gun violence and scapegoat a marginalized community ^[4]. Additionally, this misinformation can be used to justify discriminatory policies and laws that target the transgender community, rather than addressing the root causes of gun violence ^[3]. It is essential to rely on credible sources and data when discussing sensitive topics like gun violence and identity, to avoid perpetuating harmful misinformation ^{[5] [6]}.