Bill Overview
Title: Mass Shooter Prosecution Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes certain crimes involving mass killings (killing three or more people in a single incident using a machinegun or covered semiautomatic weapon in a circumstance outlined by the bill) as terrorism under federal criminal terrorism statutes.
Sponsors: Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Target Audience
Population: People involved or affected by mass shootings
Estimated Size: 300000
- The bill reclassifies certain mass shootings as acts of terrorism, which may lead to changes in prosecution tactics and penalties.
- This could impact victims and communities by possibly increasing the swiftness and severity of legal proceedings against offenders.
- Individuals involved in mass shootings, directly or indirectly, and their families may experience changes in how cases are handled legally and publicly.
- Law enforcement agencies might adjust their strategies and resources regarding these incidents due to the new classification as terrorism.
- Prosecutors and judicial systems may have to adapt to the processes and resources required for handling cases classified as terrorism.
Reasoning
- The policy is likely to directly affect a relatively small segment of the population, specifically those involved in mass shootings, their families, and communities. This includes law enforcement and legal professionals who may need to adapt to the changes.
- Given the focused nature of the policy, many individuals will not experience any direct impact on their daily lives or wellbeing, especially if they have no connection to such incidents.
- The budget suggests a moderate allocation of resources toward enhancing the legal process and potentially expanding teams to handle increased case loads and redefine procedures for terrorism cases related to mass shootings.
- Given historical data, only a few mass shootings fit the criteria specified by the bill, which means direct beneficiaries or subjects of the policy will be limited.
- Wellbeing impacts are likely to vary greatly depending on one's proximity to these events and personal or professional involvement. Most U.S. residents will have a relatively stable wellbeing trajectory whether or not this policy is enacted.
Simulated Interviews
Prosecutor (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this classification as terrorism will give us more leverage in court.
- The policy's impact on me is more about increasing workload and pressure to secure convictions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Police Officer (Denver, CO)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It makes it easier to handle situations knowing there are serious consequences.
- The policy might deter potential shooters, easing some law enforcement burden.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
School Principal (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Classifying these acts as terrorism might push more resources towards prevention.
- I'm not directly affected, but it could make schools feel safer.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Buffalo, NY)
Age: 62 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad to see these crimes taken as seriously as they should, but it doesn't change a lot for me.
- Safety does always concern me for my grandchildren.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Non-Profit Worker (Austin, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If this means less mass shootings, I'm all for it.
- The classification shift could help us secure more funding and attention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
College Student (Orlando, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could lead to faster prosecutions and more closure for victims.
- I just hope it helps prevent others from going through what I did.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Journalist (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The change might provide more compelling stories and insights into the justice process.
- It will be interesting to see how these cases evolve in legal terms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Gun Shop Owner (Dallas, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm cautious about anything that tightens gun regulation.
- Reclassification seems more about political posturing than real change to me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Graduate Student (Seattle, WA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm interested in seeing empirical evidence of the policy's impact.
- It addresses some of the systemic issues related to mass shootings.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Miami, FL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy likely won't affect my business directly, but social stability matters for us all.
- It might encourage more innovation in safety technology.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- Implementation of new legal processes might be complex and require adaptation periods for legal and law enforcement entities.
- The new classification might increase the public's perception of certain actions as terrorist threats, influencing social dynamics and security concerns.