Identifying Mass Shooters Act

To direct the National Institute of Justice to collect, study, and analyze online content created by mass shooters in an effort to early identify potential mass shooters. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Identifying Mass Shooters Act 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Perpetrators of mass shootings have utilized various online channels to declare their intent to commit violence through manifestos, blog posts, social media posts, and direct messages prior to committing acts of terror. (2) Inadequate oversight and accountability mechanisms on online platforms creates an environment that enables hate speech, extremism, radicalization, and violence. (3) In 2018, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter posted a video on YouTube stating his desire to be a professional school shooter, (4) In 2018, the Santa Fe High School shooter posted a Facebook photo of a t-shirt with Born to Kill, (5) In 2022, the Buffalo Tops grocery store shooter declared on Discord, I will carry out an attack, (6) In 2022, the Robb Elementary School shooter posted a photo of a hand holding a gun magazine, 2 semi-automatic rifles, a TikTok profile that warned Kids be scared, (7) The First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs shooter demonstrated a fascination with mass shootings and launched personal attacks on Facebook prior to murdering 26 churchgoers, including an unborn child. 3. Report and recommendations (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute of Justice shall prepare and submit a report to Congress identifying content patterns used by mass shooters through online platforms and social media channels. (b) Review and consultation In preparing the report required under this section, the Director shall, at a minimum— (1) review information, data, and reports relating to linguistic patterns used by previous mass shooters collected by Federal, State, and local law enforcement as of the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) review academic studies, including studies analyzing the relevance of social media in mass shootings described in paragraph (1); and (3) meet with, and consider any facts and analyses offered by, prosecutors, defense attorneys, family attorneys, judges, nonprofit organizations, victims service providers, culturally specific organizations, Federal, State, Tribal, and local courts, Federal, State, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, and individuals with academic expertise in relinquishment. (c) Identification of items for further study In the report under this section, the Director shall identify items for further study, relating to the effectiveness of the best practices developed under subsection (b). The Director shall publish a solicitation for applications for research grants on such items not later than 30 days after the date of the report. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Mass shooting The term mass shooting (2) Social media The term social media 5. Federal adoption The National Institute of Justice shall prepare and submit to Congress findings and recommendations for Federal legislation in accordance with section 3.

Summary: Identifying Mass Shooters Act This bill requires the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to report to Congress on the content patterns used by mass shooters through online platforms and social media channels. Additionally, the bill directs the NIJ to solicit applications for research grants on any items for further study that are identified in the report. Finally, the bill requires the NIJ to submit findings and federal legislative recommendations to Congress.