Arrests In Response To Mass Killing Threats Surge To Staggering Heights In Wake Of El Paso, Dayton Shootings
Experts suggest there are several factors at play including the fact that mass violence events tend to have a "contagion effect." But psychologists also say that it might be a heightened awareness from the general public at the root of the arrests. "I think people are on edge and there’s more concern in communities, more concern among police," Vanderbilt University professor Jonathan Metzl tells USA Today.
USA Today:
'People Are On Edge': Mass Violence Threats – At Least 30 In 18 States – Have Surged Since El Paso, Dayton
The three arrests reported Thursday for threats of mass killings bring the total to at least 30 people detained on similar charges since the shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, earlier this month. Even in a country where such attacks have become a fact of life – there have been 263 mass shootings in the U.S. this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, which defines them as four or more people wounded or killed – those numbers are staggering. What’s behind them? (Ortiz, 8/22)
In other news on gun violence —
The New York Times:
How Wayne LaPierre Survived A Revolt At The N.R.A.
Wayne LaPierre, the chief executive of the National Rifle Association, has confronted threats from all sides this year. He faced a revolt from the N.R.A.’s top lobbyist, its president, its longtime advertising firm and several board members and donors that quickly became public. New documents reviewed by The New York Times show that the effort against him was even wider in scope, drawing in three outside law firms working for the N.R.A. and at least one in-house attorney. A wave of embarrassing leaks showed that Mr. LaPierre billed a contractor hundreds of thousands of dollars for bespoke suits and foreign travel, as well as some of his wife’s makeup costs. (Hakim, 8/22)
Modern Healthcare:
Northwell Health Ad Campaign Urges Hospital Execs To Advocate For Gun Reform
Northwell Health's leadership is trying to spur the hospital industry to take action on gun violence. Michael Dowling, president and CEO of New York-based Northwell Health system, said the need for the healthcare industry to break its collective silence on gun violence was the impetus behind a new national marketing campaign the system launched Thursday in the New York Times to call on providers to become more vocal in advocating for gun legislation. (Johnson, 8/22)
The Associated Press:
Center To Offer Counseling In Wake Of Virginia Mass Shooting
Virginia Beach will be opening a community center in October to provide free mental health counseling and other services to people impacted by a mass shooting earlier this year. The Virginian-Pilot reports the “VB Strong Center” is being funded through a federal grant. (8/23)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Tony Evers: Concerns Over New Gun Laws Harming 2nd Amendment Are 'BS'
Concerns over whether expanding background checks on gun sales will diminish gun owners' constitutional rights are "frankly BS," Gov. Tony Evers said Thursday. Evers said Republicans are using "worn-out excuses" to avoid taking up legislation that would require background checks on most gun sales in Wisconsin and create a process through which family and police could ask a judge to confiscate firearms from anyone deemed a threat to others. (Beck, 8/22)
