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. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. STUDY ON PERPETRATORS OF MASS KILLINGS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall 
conduct a study, and submit to Congress a report on per-
petrators of mass killings (as such term is defined under 
section 875(d)(2)(A) of the Homeland Security Act of 
2002 (6 U.S.C. 455(d)(2)(A))), which shall include, for 
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all mass killings perpetrated beginning on January 1, 
1900, the following: 
(1) An itemization of all mass killings. 
(2) The number of perpetrators of mass killings 
who were under the influence of a drug or alcohol 
at the time of the killing, specifying alcohol or the 
specific drug, as applicable. 
(3) Any history of substance use of the perpe-
trator, including alcohol and drugs (including any 
prescription medication or therapy), details of the 
specific type of substance, along with descriptions of 
the nature of the use, duration, and any resulting 
side effects, issues, or changes in the perpetrator re-
sulting from such use. 
(4) Specific information regarding parental fig-
ures, and other family, friends, and close associates 
who may have strongly influenced the perpetrator. 
(5) Whether and to what extent each perpe-
trator may have engaged with violent video games or 
other violent media. 
(6) Details regarding sexual history, including 
sex and sexual orientation, exposure to or use of 
pornography, and sexual abuse or other sexual vio-
lence committed by the perpetrator or with respect 
to which the perpetrator was a victim. 
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(7) Details regarding any pattern of hatred of 
the perpetrator focused on immutable or mutable 
characteristics of others, including race, ethnicity, 
sex, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. 
(8) Any other commonalities among the per-
petrators of mass killings, as determined by the Sec-
retary. 
(9) Details regarding the perpetrator’s religious 
training history, activity, and affiliation. 
(10) The itemized number of mass killings that 
were perpetrated with a firearm (as such term is de-
fined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code), 
including the specific type of firearm that was used 
in each such killing. 
(11) The number of mass killings that were 
perpetrated with a weapon other than a firearm, in-
cluding the specific type of weapon that was used in 
each such killing. 
(12) The number of mass killings that were 
perpetrated in gun-free zones. 
(13) Whether or not the perpetrator of each 
mass killing legally acquired or legally possessed the 
firearm or other weapon. 
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(14) Any other commonalities among the cir-
cumstances of the mass killings, as determined by 
the Secretary. 
Æ 
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