Handguns include pistols, revolvers, derringers, and other unspecified semi-automatic handguns.
Rifles include non-automatic, semi-automatic, and illegally modified rifles.
*Firearms used in the Las Vegas Strip massacre are not included as a result of unspecific data. There were 23 firearms used, most of which were rifles, however no more specific information is available in the source.
Since 2013, the source defines a mass shooting as any single attack in a public place with three or more fatalities, in line with the definition by the FBI. Before 2013, a mass shooting was defined as any single attack in a public place with four or more fatalities.
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Guns used in mass shootings in the U.S. 1982-2026, by weapon type
Handguns are the most common weapon type used in mass shootings in the United States, with a total of 170 different handguns being used in 120 incidents between 1982 and March 2026. These figures are calculated from a total of 159 reported cases over this period, meaning handguns are involved in about 75 percent of mass shootings.
The involvement of semi-automatic rifles in mass shootings
Owing to their use in several high-profile mass shootings, there has been much public discussion over the suitability or necessity of assault weapons for the purpose of self-defense. While any definition of assault weapon is contentious, semi-automatic rifles are generally the main focus of debates around this issue. Since 1982, there has been a known total of 71 mass shootings involving rifles, mostly semi-automatics. This figure is underreported, however, as it excludes the multiple semi-automatic (and fully automatic) rifles used in the 2017 Las Vegas Strip massacre – the worst mass shooting in U.S. history, killing 58 and wounding 546. In fact, semi-automatic rifles were featured in four of the five deadliest mass shootings, being used in the Orlando nightclub massacre, Sandy Hook Elementary massacre, and Texas First Baptist Church massacre.
Mass shootings and gun control
Despite evidence of strict gun control measures reducing the frequency and severity of mass shootings in countries like Australia, citizens in the United States remain deeply divided over the issue. According to a survey about the expected impact of gun laws on the number of mass shootings, a slim majority of Americans believe that gun control measures will have little-to-no effect. Most likely, this opinion is influenced by an underlying commitment among many in the U.S. to the greater importance of protecting gun ownership rights than limiting access to firearms. This sits in sharp contrast to many other developed countries. For example, most Canadians support a ban on civilian owned firearms.
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Mother Jones. (March 2, 2026). Weapon types used in mass shootings in the United States from 1982 to March 2026, by number of weapons and incidents [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 26, 2026, from /statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/
Mother Jones. "Weapon types used in mass shootings in the United States from 1982 to March 2026, by number of weapons and incidents." Chart. March 2, 2026. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 26, 2026. /statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/
Mother Jones. (2026). Weapon types used in mass shootings in the United States from 1982 to March 2026, by number of weapons and incidents. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 26, 2026. /statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/
Mother Jones. "Weapon Types Used in Mass Shootings in The United States from 1982 to March 2026, by Number of Weapons and Incidents." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 2 Mar 2026, /statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/
Mother Jones, Weapon types used in mass shootings in the United States from 1982 to March 2026, by number of weapons and incidents ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/ (last visited July 26, 2026)
Weapon types used in mass shootings in the United States from 1982 to March 2026, by number of weapons and incidents [Graph], Mother Jones, March 2, 2026. [Online]. Available: /statistics/476409/mass-shootings-in-the-us-by-weapon-types-used/
