Mix of bravado and access to guns contribute to mass shootings by teens in St. Louis, other cities

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Teenagers in cities like St. Louis are increasingly engaging in mass shootings, and a combination of factors contributes to this disturbing trend. Recent incidents, such as a late-night shooting at a party in downtown St. Louis, a fight near Hollywood Beach in Florida, and a Sweet 16 party in Dadeville, Alabama, all involved teen suspects. These tragic events highlight the deadly mix of teenage bravado, impulsive behavior, and easy access to guns.

Gone are the days when teens settled disagreements with their fists. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones reminisced about a time when fights would result in black eyes or broken noses, but now, reaching for a gun has become the default response for many teens. Rodney Phillips, a former leader of the Chicago Black Disciples who works with gang members, confirms that teenagers today are quick to threaten violence, with phrases like “I’m gonna kill you” becoming commonplace. The audacity and recklessness displayed in these shootings, often occurring in public places, is a stark departure from the past.

Sharonda Moore, the aunt of 17-year-old Makao Moore, who tragically lost his life in the St. Louis shooting, expressed her concern that too many teens resort to guns to express their anger. She believes that if a solution is not found, these incidents will continue to happen. One approach to addressing teen violence, according to Mayor Jones, is to expand programs that provide safe spaces and activities for young people, such as movie and music nights.

The availability of firearms, including more powerful weapons, has made it easier for teens and others to cause mass casualties in a single incident. For example, at the Sweet 16 party in Alabama, a handgun had been modified to fire rapidly, creating a sound similar to a machine gun. The aftermath of these shootings is often characterized by bloodshed, with walls riddled with bullets and shattered glass.

In many cities, illegal guns are readily accessible, particularly in areas with high gang activity. These weapons are frequently stolen from homes, gun stores, or even trains. To avoid police detection while carrying guns, gang members often hide them in nearby locations, such as walls or inside tire rims.

The increase in the availability of powerful firearms since the 1980s has contributed to the rise in teen homicides. Prior to this, knives and low-caliber pistols were the weapons of choice for teens who engaged in lethal violence. James Alan Fox, a criminology professor, notes that teenagers with guns tend to be trigger-happy, acting without fully considering the consequences of their actions. According to FBI data, approximately 90% of homicides committed by teens aged 15 to 17 in 2019 involved firearms, compared to around 60% in 1980.

The exact number of guns accessible to teenagers is unknown, but estimates suggest that civilians in the United States possess around 390 million firearms, more than the combined total of the other top 25 countries. Mayor Jones acknowledges that the causes of such violence are complex. She points out that allowing teenagers to gather unsupervised in downtown areas late at night is problematic, emphasizing that these places are not suitable destinations for young teens.

Investigations into the shootings in St. Louis, Alabama, and Florida have yet to uncover specific motives, but tension appears to have escalated rapidly in each case. Altercations at the Alabama party started after a music speaker fell, leading one individual to display a gun. In Florida, a dispute between two groups escalated into gunfire, resulting in multiple injuries and arrests.

In 2020, during the early stages of the pandemic, homicides committed by teens aged 12 to 17 increased by nearly 40% compared to the previous year. These incidents accounted for a significant portion of the approximately 18,000 total homicides in the United States in 2020. Homicides by teens in this age group peaked between 1984 and 1994, reaching a high of 2,800. While the numbers have increased slightly in recent years, they remain lower than the levels seen in the mid-1990s.

When teenagers commit acts of violence, their victims are often young as well. In the St. Louis shooting, the victims ranged from 15 to 19 years old, while those killed in the Alabama incident were aged 17, 18, 19, and 23. Homicide ranks as the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 12 to 17, following accidents and suicide, with African American youth being particularly affected.

Rodney Phillips identifies social media as another influential factor contributing to teen violence. Disputes originating online can easily spill over into the real world, resulting in gun violence. Peer pressure also plays a role, with minor conflicts escalating due to the fear of exclusion from a group. Around one-third of homicides committed by teens involve multiple individuals.

Addressing the issue of mass shootings by teens requires a multifaceted approach. It involves expanding programs that offer constructive activities for young people, limiting access to firearms, and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to teenage bravado, impulsiveness, and anger. Only through comprehensive efforts can society hope to prevent further tragedies and create safer environments for teenagers.

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More about teenage mass shootings

• CNN: Mix of bravado and access to guns contribute to mass shootings by teens
• The Washington Post: Teenagers and guns: What can be done to prevent violent shootings?
• NBC News: Youth Gun Violence in America: Teenagers taking up guns
• The New York Times: The Growing Toll of Gun Violence on American Children
• CNN: How access to guns increases the risk of suicide and homicide