Mass Murders Decline, Caution Advised

On December 2, 2025, an article from the Associated Press reported a 44 percent decrease in mass murders over the past two years, though it warned that this might not indicate a lasting trend.

Information gathered by Northeastern University researcher James Alan Fox indicates a 24 percent reduction in mass murders this year compared to 2024, and a 20 percent drop from 2023. These figures represent the lowest recorded since 2006.

However, Fox suggested that the numbers could rise again, quoting Newton’s law in relation to crime: “What goes up must come down.” He expressed uncertainty about whether the downward trend would continue into 2026, stating, “What goes down must come up.”

James Densley from Metropolitan State University commented that since mass murders occur infrequently—only a few dozen times each year—small changes can appear dramatic. He noted, “2025 looks like a very good year historically, but we can’t act as if that means the problem is completely over.”

Emma Fridell from Florida State University highlighted the serious issue of firearm-related deaths, stating, “That’s an amazing number. We lose as many people to gun violence every year as we did in the Korean War. Guns are the number one cause of death for children.”

This statement draws attention to the staggering impact of gun violence, especially since the Defense Casualty Analysis System estimates over 54,000 American casualties in the Korean War. Reports indicate that the highest annual number of gun-related deaths in the U.S. reached 48,830, according to the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Fridell reiterated her point about guns being the leading cause of death for children. This claim has also been made by various political figures, including former President Joe Biden and others. Critics, like those from Breitbart News, argue that this assertion only holds if individuals aged 18 and 19 are included in the definition of “children.”