California Does Lead U.S. In Mass Shootings, But That’s Only Because So Many People Live There
Taking a closer look at the numbers show that the state has one of the nation’s lowest overall gun deaths per capita. Experts say that California's tough gun laws have helped in that ranking. Meanwhile, a recent survey found that 1 in 4 Californians who own guns obtained their weapons without having to undergo a background check.
CALmatters:
Despite Mass Shooting, California—With Tougher Gun Control—Has Lower Gun-Death Rate Than Most States
With another mass shooting in California, number 19 since 1984, the state leads the nation in most deaths from these kinds of violent killings—but only because it is by far the most populous state. That ranking belies the fact that California has one of the nation’s lowest overall gun deaths per capita. Experts point to the state’s restrictive gun laws, including new ones going into effect in January, and limited gun ownership for the relatively low rate of overall gun deaths of less than 8 per 100,000 people. (Aguilera, 11/9)
CALmatters:
A New Survey Reveals Who Owns Guns In California—And How Many Got Them Without Background Checks
In a state that has some of the nation’s toughest gun control laws, one in four California gun owners own firearms that they somehow managed to buy without undergoing background checks, researchers at UC Davis’ Violence Prevention Research Program reported Sunday. An estimated 4.2 million California adults own guns, 14 percent of the population. California laws dating back decades make it a crime to buy or sell a gun without requiring the purchaser to submit to background checks. (Morain, 11/11)
And in other news —
The Washington Post:
Ventura Shooting: Mass Shootings Are Increasingly Common. Grieving One While Escaping From Wildfires Is Not.
Volunteer chaplains hovered outside the crime scene Saturday afternoon when the trio of friends settled beneath the caution tape and started assembling. They had white computer paper, permanent markers, black electrical tape and 12 U.S. flags — one for each victim of the mass shooting inside Borderline Bar and Grill last week. (Mettler, 11/12)