Mass shooters should not be sensationalized

Releasing details on a shooter can influence mass shootings

In the wake of the recent mass shooting that happened in New Zealand on March 15, there is something to be said about the way we treat mass shooters. 

Just like the many mass shootings that have happened in America, New Zealand released the name and details of the shooter. But unlike us, they have not given him a platform to rise in infamy or spread his racist rhetoric. 

As a country, we should be following New Zealand’s actions. Releasing their name, their face, their manifesto etc. is exactly what they want. Their goal is not only to spread hate and violence but also to become world-renowned for their actions. 

A good example of this would be the Parkland shooter. He garnered the attention of young girls and women who thought he was “cute” and they romanticized him.

This has happened a lot within the past years with mass shooters, and certain ones have admitted to being inspired by other shooters.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is making sure this won’t happen in the case of the white supremacist who shot up the two mosques. She has been fighting to keep the shooter’s name out of news media and to take down the video the shooter streamed while gunning down the mosques.  

Now the question I propose is this: Why have we not followed in suit? Why has President Donald Trump not vowed to work as hard as Arden to make sure the shooter, and all other shooters, stay out of the spotlight? 

Arden is also proposing a ban on semi-automatic weapons, though there have been no official statements on the matter. Just her saying that she supports a ban, though, is far more progress than America has seen in relation to gun violence. 

In light of this recent tragedy I think America should be seriously considering its gun laws. Of course, this phrase has been repeated over and over throughout history. But according to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been a total of 61 mass shooting incidents as of March 19. We’re not even close to finishing our third month this year. 

I think America should be taking notes from Prime Minister Arden. For New Zealand, they are taking all the right steps to end gun violence and mass shootings. 

Header photo courtesy of the Associated Press.