Officials say the public can also play a critical role in this effort. A perverse byproduct of the rise in mass shootings is that it’s given investigators more and more useful information with which to draw a portrait of the typical killer. Gibson firmly believes some mass shootings can be prevented because mass shooters often follow a predictable pattern. While most mass shooters do not suffer from serious psychiatric illness, they can be troubled or distressed in some way. Ultimately, what makes the US so exceptional when it comes to mass shootings is how pervasive guns are.

---

Persons: Peter Bergen, ”, Laura Tillman, Karie Gibson, Gibson, “, we’ve, Mary O’Toole Organizations: New, Arizona State University, Apple, CNN, FBI, Unit Locations: New America, United States, Maine, Quantico , Virginia