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Case 4: The Columbine Effect

  • Writer: Aimee Gray
    Aimee Gray
  • Apr 3, 2020
  • 3 min read

Information is at the tips of everyone's fingers. You can find anything on the internet from a simple search. The media constantly report on crimes that take place across the world. Cases – old and new – have all information out there for copycats to learn from. Is this easily accessible information damaging? Or is it necessary to call out the killers for their horrific crimes? 


Copycat crimes are when someone commits a criminal offence that is inspired by a previous one. The biggest example of copycat crimes is school shootings, especially in America. The heavy media attention these crimes get is significant. With over 30 cases already in 2020, it is arguably one of the biggest problems in the USA. 


The Columbine Massacre in 1999 could be argued to be the turning point as to when these mimicked shootings started. This notorious shooting was carried out by two students, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The pair killed 13, including a teacher and injured over 20+ people. The teenagers had planned the crime to take place for over a year on an AOL site and in a series of journal entries. It has been reported that this was a copycat crime itself, being inspired by the 1995 film “The Basketball Diaries” in which Leonardo DiCaprio dreams of killing his classmates wearing a trench coat – both of the perpetrators also wore trench coats while carrying out their attacks. The aftermath of this historic event led to a series of copycat shootings mimicking what happened at the school in Colorado.


Dubbed as the ‘Columbine effect’ there have been over 70 reports of similar cases, further showing the danger of how the media spread incident inspired many more people to look up to these malicious felons. It has been argued throughout the 21st Century that the media coverage of these mass shootings causes more harm than good. Statistically, America has the highest history of mass shootings than any other country in the world. The endless cycle of copycats always comes back to Columbine, widely reported cases include: Sandy Hook Elementary, Santa Fe High School and Virginia Tech.


The effect these crimes have had on schools across America has forced the implementation of strict security measures such as metal detectors, school uniforms, and security guards. Schools regularly hold shooting drills to teach students the procedures in case of an attack and there have even been talks for teachers to be able to have possession of a gun in classrooms. However, could this be enough? Criticisms of gun laws have been slammed every time a massacre like this happens, with a national outcry to introduce stricter rules to help combat gun violence on school campuses.


In comparison to the US, the UK was fast-acting in their efforts to diminish gun violence after the Dunblane school massacre of 1996. The Scottish primary school was invaded by Thomas Hamilton, who killed 16 children, including 1 teacher and injured a further 15 victims. Public petitions circulated immediately after the attack for a ban on private possessions of guns in the UK. The Firearms Act was passed in response to this in 1997 which banned the possession of all handguns in the United Kingdom. Schools also rolled out stricter security measures, like in America, including security cameras, ID badges/swipe cards, reinforced school gates, and security fencing. The immediate response has shown positive effects and there have since been no recorded school shootings in the UK. 

I believe that the USA could take some heavy hints from the UK to combat its growing list of school crimes and protect the citizens of America. Let me know your opinion on this situation. Click here for the research list.

 
 
 

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