Why Do We React Differently to Mass Shootings When They Occur Outside of the States?
Photo Courtesy: Chad Davis via Wikimedia Commons
Mass shootings in the United States disproportionately dominate media cycles and fuel political debates. The scale and frequency of these events, combined with the influence of American media, create a disparity in global news coverage. As of this year, there have already been 32 mass shootings in the United States, resulting in at least 25 deaths and 125 injuries, according to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA). In 2024, there were a staggering 505 mass shootings—nearly two per day on average. Yet incidents in other nations, such as the recent mass shooting in Örebro, Sweden, that claimed 10 lives on Campus Risbergska, receive far less attention. Global perceptions of gun violence and its societal impact are informed by the media, cultural biases, and psychological distance from the events.
The intense focus on U.S. mass shootings can be attributed to the sheer scale and influence of American media. The United States is home to some of the most powerful and far-reaching media industries, shaping international news bulletins. Networks such as CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times have massive global audiences, ensuring that American tragedies are widely disseminated, often overshadowing similar events elsewhere.
Sensationalism and viewer engagement also play a significant role. Mass shootings, particularly public ones with indiscriminate victims, generate high media coverage and public interest. These tragedies are framed as national crises, fuelling ongoing debates on gun control, mental health, and law enforcement. In contrast, countries with stricter gun laws or different cultural attitudes toward firearms do not experience the same level of political and media obsession over these events, resulting in less coverage. In these cases, mass shootings—being rarer or less frequent—are often treated as miscellaneous news, quickly overlooked rather than recognised as symptomatic of the global phenomenon of gun violence.
The 1999 Columbine High School shooting marked a turning point in how mass shootings were covered by the press. Extensive media coverage, public concern, and calls for legislative action set a precedent for how events such as these would be discussed across the nation. This focus has only intensified with subsequent high-profile incidents such as Sandy Hook, Parkland, and Uvalde. The growing body of research aimed at understanding and preventing mass shootings is primarily centered on the U.S, reinforcing the idea that this is a uniquely American crisis.
However, mass shootings are not unique to America. Events such as the Kerch Polytechnic College shooting in Ukraine, the Christchurch Mosque attack in New Zealand, and the Suzano School shooting in Brazil have forced researchers to examine the global nature of indiscriminate gun violence. Despite this, most academic and policy discussions concentrate on why the U.S. experiences these tragedies at such a high rate compared to other nations.
The underreporting of mass shootings outside the United States becomes evident when examining cases like the Örebro school shooting in Sweden. Scandinavian authorities have worked extensively to crack down on gun violence due to an increase in deadly gang-related shootings. In 2024, Sweden recorded 40 deaths by shooting, the highest per capita rate of deadly gun violence in the European Union. Despite this alarming trend, global media outlets rarely focus on Sweden’s gun violence crisis with the same urgency as they do American mass shootings.
Similarly, in 2021, Albania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia had some of the highest gun homicide rates in Europe, yet these incidents went largely unnoticed by international media. The focus on U.S. mass shootings can be somewhat justified due to their frequency and scale, but it risks overshadowing growing concerns over gun violence in other developed nations that share social, political, and cultural characteristics with the U.S.
The proliferation of media coverage on American mass shootings has contributed to copycat crimes and an increase in similar violence worldwide. Suzano’s school shooters admitted that they were inspired and "hoped would draw more attention than the Columbine massacre". International fame-seekers and radicalized individuals drawing inspiration from highly publicized U.S. shootings leads to a globalization of the phenomenon.
While public mass shootings in the U.S. tend to be more deadly and dramatic, they account for only 20%–25% of all mass shootings. The focus on these highly visible tragedies overlooks broader gun violence issues including domestic disputes, gang violence, and terrorist attacks, which claim even more lives.
The overwhelming emphasis on U.S. mass shootings in global media narratives reflects a combination of media influence, public interest, and cultural framing. While these tragedies warrant attention, it is equally important to recognize that gun violence is a worldwide issue with far-reaching consequences beyond American borders. However, the relentless coverage of U.S. shootings raises concerns about desensitization; the frequency of such events, coupled with political stagnation on gun reform, risks normalizing extreme violence. Factors such as the United States’ deeply ingrained gun culture, the pervasive documentation of crime on social media, and the country's role in setting global news agendas also contribute to the disproportionate attention given. Other nations thus receive limited international coverage, as they are perceived as isolated events rather than part of an ongoing crisis. Yet, adopting a cynical or fatalistic perspective is equally dangerous. Rather than viewing mass shootings as solely an American issue, they should be understood as symptoms of a broader, global crisis. More balanced media coverage and research efforts are essential in fostering a comprehensive understanding of the causes, trends, and potential solutions to mass violence worldwide.