Youth Gun Violence Facts: School Shootings vs. Street Violence — What You Need To Know

School shootings and street violence are equally tragic but are distinct categories of youth violence. A team of experts has produced a report summarizing the key similarities and differences between these two types.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Division of Violence Prevention defines youth violence as any harmful behavior involving the youth. Bullying, robbery, and assault are a few examples of youth violence.

In a report published in the January edition of the journal American Psychological Association, lead author Brad Bushman and 11 local experts on youth violence have revealed what differentiates between a school shooting and street violence. The information is heavily based on a report published by the National Science Foundation back in 2013.

1.    Shooter background

Science Codex describes the typical school shooter as white, middle class and living in a rural or suburban area. According to the NSF report, rampage shooters are often male and typically have no known history of disciplinary problems or mental disorders.

Although the typical school shooter has above average intelligence, he is oftentimes ostracized for having minimal or no athletic skills.

In contrast, the medical publication says street shooters are black and come from poor families. With living in high crime neighborhoods, the subcommittee report notes that street shooters rarely do well in school.

Both school rampage and urban shooters imbibe a tough, macho personality. In the case of school shooters, they use notoriety to repair their damaged identities while urban shooters evoke a tough exterior to repel threats.

2.    Choice of victims

According to the NSF report, school shooters choose their targets at random. On the other hand, urban violence often involves members between competing gangs or known groups.

3.    Motives

A press release published in Eurekalert says school shooters want people to know and remember them for what they did. Social rejection is a common factor with school shootings with shooters often committing suicide once the goal has been accomplished.

In contrast, street killings are often influenced by poverty. Urban shooters want their crimes to remain a secret and rarely kill themselves after committing their crimes.

4.    Choice of weapons and access

Most street shooters have an extensive criminal record and prefer using handguns when committing a crime. The press release states that these weapons are often illegally acquired.

School shooters, on the other hand, use semi-automatic or automatic rifles that have been legally bought or given by a relative.

5.    Prevention

Strengthening family ties, reducing access to guns, improving the school environment and curtailing the effects of violent media are some of the more well-known ways of preventing youth violence. Bushman says the government needs to devote more resources as well.