The statistic shows the results of a survey among Americans on the factors that led to the recent shootings all over the country, and how much those factors are to blame for the shootings. The survey was conducted in 2013 among adult Americans. 48 percent of the respondents said the failure of the mental health system to identify individuals who are a danger to others was to blame "a great deal" for the mass shootings.
How much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the mass shootings that have occurred in the US in recent years?
Characteristic
Great deal
Fair amount
Not much / not at all
Failure of the mental health system to identify individuals who are a danger to others
48%
32%
19%
Easy access to guns
40%
21%
36%
Drug use
37%
29%
32%
Violence in movies, video games and music lyrics
32%
24%
43%
Insufficient security at public buildings including businesses and schools
29%
29%
40%
The spread of extremist viewpoints on the Internet
29%
28%
37%
Inflammatory language from prominent political commentators
18%
19%
58%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents19%19%36%36%32%32%43%43%40%40%37%37%58%58%32%32%21%21%29%29%24%24%29%29%28%28%19%19%48%48%40%40%37%37%32%32%29%29%29%29%18%18%Great dealFair amountNot much / not at allFailure of the mental health system to identify individuals who are adanger to othersEasy access to gunsDrug useViolence in movies, video games and music lyricsInsufficient security at public buildings including businesses and schoolsThe spread of extremist viewpoints on the InternetInflammatory language from prominent political commentators
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%
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The source poses the question as follows: "Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings – a great deal, a fair amount, not much, or not at all? How about –"
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Gallup. (September 20, 2013). How much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the mass shootings that have occurred in the US in recent years? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/272930/factors-to-blame-for-mass-shootings-in-the-us/
Gallup. "How much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the mass shootings that have occurred in the US in recent years?." Chart. September 20, 2013. Statista. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/272930/factors-to-blame-for-mass-shootings-in-the-us/
Gallup. (2013). How much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the mass shootings that have occurred in the US in recent years?. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/272930/factors-to-blame-for-mass-shootings-in-the-us/
Gallup. "How Much Do You Think Each of The following Factors Is to Blame for The Mass Shootings That Have Occurred in The Us in Recent Years?." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Sep 2013, https://www.statista.com/statistics/272930/factors-to-blame-for-mass-shootings-in-the-us/
Gallup, How much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the mass shootings that have occurred in the US in recent years? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/272930/factors-to-blame-for-mass-shootings-in-the-us/ (last visited April 25, 2025)
How much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the mass shootings that have occurred in the US in recent years? [Graph], Gallup, September 20, 2013. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/272930/factors-to-blame-for-mass-shootings-in-the-us/
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