I 

116TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. R. 8837 

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct a study on 

perpetrators of mass killings, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

DECEMBER 2, 2020 

Mr. KING of Iowa introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary 

A BILL 

To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to conduct 

a study on perpetrators of mass killings, and for other 

purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. STUDY ON PERPETRATORS OF MASS KILLINGS. 

4 Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact5 ment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 

6 conduct a study, and submit to Congress a report on per7 petrators of mass killings (as such term is defined under 

8 section 875(d)(2)(A) of the Homeland Security Act of 

9 2002 (6 U.S.C. 455(d)(2)(A))), which shall include, for 


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1 all mass killings perpetrated beginning on January 1, 

2 1900, the following: 

3 (1) An itemization of all mass killings. 

4 (2) The number of perpetrators of mass killings 

5 who were under the influence of a drug or alcohol 

6 at the time of the killing, specifying alcohol or the 

7 specific drug, as applicable. 

8 (3) Any history of substance use of the perpe9 trator, including alcohol and drugs (including any 

10 prescription medication or therapy), details of the 

11 specific type of substance, along with descriptions of 

12 the nature of the use, duration, and any resulting 

13 side effects, issues, or changes in the perpetrator re14 sulting from such use. 

15 (4) Specific information regarding parental fig16 ures, and other family, friends, and close associates 

17 who may have strongly influenced the perpetrator. 

18 (5) Whether and to what extent each perpe19 trator may have engaged with violent video games or 

20 other violent media. 

21 (6) Details regarding sexual history, including 

22 sex and sexual orientation, exposure to or use of 

23 pornography, and sexual abuse or other sexual vio24 lence committed by the perpetrator or with respect 

25 to which the perpetrator was a victim. 


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1 (7) Details regarding any pattern of hatred of 

2 the perpetrator focused on immutable or mutable 

3 characteristics of others, including race, ethnicity, 

4 sex, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. 

5 (8) Any other commonalities among the per6 petrators of mass killings, as determined by the Sec7 retary. 

8 (9) Details regarding the perpetrator’s religious 

9 training history, activity, and affiliation. 

10 (10) The itemized number of mass killings that 

11 were perpetrated with a firearm (as such term is de12 fined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code), 

13 including the specific type of firearm that was used 

14 in each such killing. 

15 (11) The number of mass killings that were 

16 perpetrated with a weapon other than a firearm, in17 cluding the specific type of weapon that was used in 

18 each such killing. 

19 (12) The number of mass killings that were 

20 perpetrated in gun-free zones. 

21 (13) Whether or not the perpetrator of each 

22 mass killing legally acquired or legally possessed the 

23 firearm or other weapon. 


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1 (14) Any other commonalities among the cir2 cumstances of the mass killings, as determined by 

3 the Secretary. 

Æ 


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