Mass public shootings have drawn considerable attention from the public, policymakers, and researchers, yet despite what is known about these events, assessments to date have failed to consider their timing as a function of the locations where they occur. Using data on 401 U.S. mass public shootings occurring between 1966 and 2020, we examine these events’ temporal patterns. The findings suggest that the occurrence of mass public shootings may not be as random as once assumed but instead mirror the routine activities of the perpetrators, their victims, and the shootings’ locations. Considerations for prevention and response policies also are offered.

大规模公共枪击事件引起了公众、政策制定者和研究人员的极大关注，但尽管对这些事件有所了解，但迄今为止的评估未能将其发生时间视为事件发生地点的函数。我们使用 1966 年至 2020 年间发生的 401 起美国大规模公共枪击事件的数据，研究这些事件的时间模式。调查结果表明，大规模公共枪击事件的发生可能不像以前假设的那样随机，而是反映了肇事者、受害者和枪击地点的日常活动。还提供了预防和应对政策的考虑因素。