Debunking Myths the Gun Lobby Perpetuates Following Mass Shootings - Mental illness is not a major factor in mass shootings

The myths play on fear and perpetuate misinformation to such a degree that they are drilled into the public consciousness as fact and can lead to reactionary policies that do little to deter gun violence.3 This fact sheet combats this misinformation and uplifts evidence-based solutions by debunking the myths that the gun lobby and conservative politicians frequently circulate following gun violenc. [...] In 2020, a security guard unintentionally fired a gun in a school parking lot in Florida, striking another staff member in the eye.36 And in November 2016, a high school resource officer in Michigan accidentally discharged his gun and struck a teacher in the neck.37 Armed teachers, too, have put others at risk. [...] To shift public attention from efforts to strengthen gun laws, the NRA and conserva- tive politicians have attempted to blame the criminal justice reform movement for the recent rise in violent crime.61 However, the evidence points to guns as the driv- ing force behind the increase. [...] Since Heller, courts around the country have continually affirmed the legality of gun safety legislation, uphold- ing a wide range of gun laws as constitutional:71 Center for American Progress Debunking Myths the Gun Lobby Perpetuates Following Mass Shootings 7 ■ Laws restricting concealed and open carry of loaded guns in public72 ■ Extreme risk protection orders and prohibitions on the possession. [...] Ikeda, and Marcie-Jo Kresnow, 26 Woodrow Cox and Rich, “Scarred by school shootings.” “Guns in the home and risk of a violent death in the home: findings from a national study,” American Journal of Epi- 27 Jillian Peterson, James Densley, and Gina Erickson, demiology 160 (10) (2004): 929–936, available at https:// “Presence of Armed School Officials and Fatal and www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/155228.