Mass Shootings as Terrorism in an Era of Homeland Security

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is to examine the nature and scope of mass shootings in the United States. These incidents are discussed with respect to the criteria by which they are classified as mass shootings by various academic sources and news outlets, their analogue to acts of terror, and the reluctance of state officials to classify ideological-motivated mass shootings as terrorism. This chapter examines the incidence of mass shootings with particularly attention paid to the characteristics of these events pre and post-9/11, as well as the media representation and statutory dictate of some as acts of domestic terrorism. Finally, the application of anti-terrorism legislation in response to mass shootings perpetrated by extremists is discussed.