House Democrats want the federal government to analyze content created by mass shooters on websites and social media platforms to understand how they communicate, and then use that analysis to “early identify” people who might be mass shooters.
The “Mass Shooting Detection Act” was enacted by D-Md. introduced by Rep. Kwesi Mfume and a handful of other Democrats. A summary of the bill states that officials would “collect, study and analyze online content generated by mass shootings in order to identify potential mass shootings early.”
The legislation does not go so far as to create a new federal program in which officials would scan social media posts for certain words or content and investigate the people behind those posts. But it takes a first step in that direction, suggesting that past mass shootings have a certain way of intertwining, and that, if explored more closely, could reveal who the next mass-killer might be. can provide information about the possibility.
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Rep. Kwesi Mfume, D-Md., has joined other Democrats in proposing a bill that would allow law enforcement to “early identify” mass shootings. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
“Perpetrators of mass shootings have used a variety of online channels to announce their intent to commit violence through manifestos, blog posts, social media posts, and direct messages prior to committing acts of terror,” the bill states. “The lack of adequate oversight and accountability mechanisms on online platforms creates an enabling environment for hate speech, extremism, radicalization and violence.”
As an example, the bill notes that the 2018 shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School posted a video in which he said he wanted to be a “professional school shooter.” The Santa Fe High School shooter posted a photo of a “Born to Kill” shirt and displayed images of Nazi and satanic symbols.
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The Democrats’ bill calls for federal officials to work with law enforcement to understand how mass shooters communicate in hopes of identifying them earlier.
(AP)
According to the bill, the Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is tasked with studying “patterns of content used by mass shooters via online platforms and social media channels.” The NIJ will have two years to present its findings to Congress, and the report will include a review of “linguistic patterns used by previous mass shootings collected by law enforcement officials.”
The report includes a review of academic studies evaluating the importance of social media in mass shootings and any insights gathered by prosecutors, law enforcement, attorneys, and others with experience in the field.
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(Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
Mfume’s office declined to comment on whether the bill’s sponsors aim to recommend a formal program to evaluate social media posts featuring past mass shootings from the NIJ analysis and take action against the people behind those posts.
But the bill calls on the NIJ to include “items for further study” on the issue in its report.
While the bill shows where some Democrats hope to take the gun control debate, the bill is unlikely to pass the House. Congress is expected to be in session for just a few days, and efforts by Democrats to strike a deal on gun control have failed in the Senate, where Republicans today have language on gun legislation that would attract 10 GOP votes. they stated that there is no. passing the bill.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said this week of the Democratic gun control bill: “I don’t think it’s on the table.”