Since the massacre at Columbine High School in 1999, school shootings have become a growing concern for parents and the public. The K-12 School Shooting Database reports that at least 493 people have been killed with guns on school property in the 25 years since Columbine, with 138 of those deaths occurring in active shooter incidents on school grounds. The number of school shootings each year has risen dramatically in recent years, with at least 2,032 incidents recorded since Columbine. However, the definition of a “school shooting” can vary, ranging from incidents where a gun is brandished or fired to incidents where one or more victims are shot.
Determining the number of school shootings since Columbine can be complex, depending on how the term is defined. The criteria used can result in counts ranging from 8 to over 2,000 incidents. While the total number of incidents may be high, the occurrence of rampage attacks like Columbine remains statistically rare. Experts emphasize that schools are still among the safest places for children in terms of gun violence, and the probability of a child being shot while in school is low. Mass casualty events, where four or more people are killed, are even rarer, with only eight such incidents since Columbine.
Despite the rarity of school shootings with mass casualties, parents’ fears for their children’s safety at school have been increasing. Polling has shown a rise in parental concern, with 38% of parents expressing fear for their children’s safety at school. This fear has been attributed to increased news coverage of school shootings, particularly those with higher death tolls. While Americans have little confidence in the country’s ability to eliminate gun violence, experts note that most school shootings involving student perpetrators are preventable, as there are often warning signs before an attack. Investigating “near miss” school shootings, where incidents had the potential to be much worse, could help in preventing future tragedies.
As the 25th anniversary of the Columbine massacre approaches, experts stress the importance of putting school shootings into perspective. While the number of incidents may be high, the occurrence of rampage attacks is statistically rare. School administrators, policymakers, and the public must carefully consider the data and definitions used to understand the true extent of the issue and work towards effective prevention strategies. Despite the challenges in tracking and defining school shootings, efforts to identify warning signs, improve information sharing, and address potential threats could help reduce gun violence in schools and enhance safety for students and staff.
