A recent study by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) has brought to light a significant gap between federal statistics and the actual role of armed civilians in stopping active shooter incidents in the United States. From 2014 to 2024, the FBI reported civilian interventions in only 3.7 percent of active shooter events, but the CPRC's analysis indicates a far greater involvement, with armed citizens stopping approximately 36 percent of all cases.
The CPRC's research, which reviewed data from the same period, identified 561 active shooter instances, with armed civilians effectively halting 202 attacks. Excluding incidents in "gun-free zones," the rate of civilian intervention rises to 52.5 percent. These findings highlight a stark discrepancy in the recording and recognition of civilian actions during such critical events.
The difference in numbers can be partially attributed to the FBI's categorization of interventions. For example, some private citizens who took action were labeled as "security guards," despite lacking professional credentials. Furthermore, instances where suspects fled due to civilian action were often not counted in the official statistics.
A notable case occurred in 2019 during a church shooting in White Settlement, Texas, where a parishioner's swift response stopped the gunman. The FBI classified this as the work of a security guard, although the individual had no such official status. Similarly, in 2022, Elisjsha Dicken's intervention during the Greenwood, Indiana, mall shooting, which prevented further loss of life, received limited national news coverage, with outlets such as Reuters and CNN deeming such interventions as "uncommon."
The CPRC report also brought to light two incidents from 2024 that the FBI overlooked. In Martinsburg, West Virginia, a woman exchanged gunfire with attackers at her apartment complex, causing them to retreat. In Thomasville, North Carolina, armed bystanders neutralized a shooter in a public area, preventing additional casualties. Neither case made it into the FBI's official count.
The FBI has defended its methodology, stating that its reports aim to provide a "baseline understanding" rather than a comprehensive analysis of all active shooter incidents. Critics, however, contend that this approach leads to a skewed public perception. Former Justice Department official Theo Wold pointed out that such systematic underreporting influences the national conversation on gun violence and civilian defense.
Public opinion reflects the belief in the efficacy of armed civilians. A Trafalgar Group poll from 2022 showed that 42 percent of voters view armed citizens as the most effective deterrent against mass shootings, a sentiment that surpasses trust in local police.
The CPRC's findings challenge entrenched assumptions in federal reporting and mainstream media narratives, revealing that responsible, armed civilians are not outliers but a consistent and measurable force in reducing casualties during active shooter situations. These revelations underscore the importance of accurate reporting and acknowledgment of civilian interventions, which are crucial in the ongoing debate over gun rights and public safety.
John Lott, President of the CPRC, emphasized the disconnect between public perception and reality, stating, "Law-abiding citizens stopping these attacks are not rare. What is rare is national news coverage of those incidents." This statement captures the essence of the CPRC's findings and the need for a reassessment of how civilian contributions to public safety are documented and valued.
