Carnage: Preventing Mass Shootings in America

In his book CARNAGE, Thomas Gabor examines the 1,000+ mass shootings in America in 2019-2020, as well as trends in US mass shootings. CARNAGE explores the geography and demographics of mass shootings, weapons used, extent of defensive gun uses by victims, and the settings and circumstances of mass shootings.

Gabor’s analysis shatters the myth that most mass shootings are random attacks on strangers. While such events dominate the media’s attention, the most common reason for a shooting is a dispute between individuals or groups. A disproportionate number occur in disadvantaged neighborhoods, especially communities of color.

Gabor offers solutions ranging from tackling persistent poverty, defusing vendetta-like conflicts, and addressing widespread gun carrying to various gun policy reforms. A key message is that mass shootings can only be reduced if both the social conditions that underlie them and easy access to guns by those at risk of violence are addressed.