The data used in this analysis is from the Stanford MSA (Mass Shootings in America database), in which there are 344 events listed from 1966 - 2016. The database defines a mass shooting as an event with at least 3 casualties, and the Stanford MSA database covers approximately 14 fields, including details about fatalities regarding police and civilians. Data used for variables that are cross referenced against the mass murders, such as education rates and social media usage, are taken from Pew Research Center.
Social media usage shows a positive significant correlation to the number of mass shootings, this is however driven mainly by the outlier years (2015 and 2016)
Assault weapons ban has had a significant impact on the average fatality rate per incident. During the ban, the fatality rate was ~50% lower.
Slight trend- There appears to be a slightly negative correlation between the rates of people who graduate with a Bachelor's degree and mass murders, but the correlation is extremely weak and cannot be used for a definitive conclusion.
Number of mass shootings dramatically increased in 2015 and 2016 specifically, rather than in the 2000s in general, as I had previously thought. I concluded that this could be attributed to heightened political tensions or influence that occurred as a result of Trump's presidency, though there is no measure of it that can be cross referenced against the mass shooting data.
As seen in the data, the most effective solution would be to reinstate an assault weapon ban, which would make it much more difficult for civilians to obtain the type of weapon that is commonly used in mass shootings, potentially lowering rates of mass shootings as it did when the ban was in place in the mid 2000s. This may prove to be difficult, given the history of this nation and the value many citizens place on the right to bear arms that was granted to them by the Bill of Rights. I explore different solutions in my paper on gun violence rates. which are linked on the 'Legislative Impact' tab within 'Social Impacts'.