The Rise of Mass Shootings in Schools and the Texas School Shooter’s Weapon of Choice

The recent shooting in a Texas high school has left many people shocked and horrified. In this tragedy, 10 people were killed and 10 were injured. The shooter, identified as 17-year-old Dimitrios Pagourtzis, was reportedly armed with a shotgun and a .38-caliber handgun. Unfortunately, mass shootings at schools have become increasingly common, and this is yet another example of the devastating effect gun violence can have on a community.

The Impact of Mass School Shootings

School shootings have an immense impact on their immediate victims, but they also deeply affect their communities as a whole. Parents, teachers, and students all experience shock, fear, and grief, as well as a loss of safety and security in their place of learning. In fact, a recent study showed that school shootings can lead to higher levels of PTSD in students. The emotional and psychological effects of school shootings are likely to last long after the incident is over.

The Gun Used: The Remington Model 870

In this case, the Texas school shooter was armed with a Remington Model 870 shotgun, which is a widely available pump-action shotgun. The Remington 870 has long been a popular choice for hunters, sport shooters, and law enforcement personnel. While the Remington 870 is commonly used for hunting, many have also expressed concerns about its potential for misuse and mass shootings.

The Remington Model 870 can hold up to six rounds of 12-gauge shotgun shells. The shooter, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, used a sawed-off version of the gun, which means it had been illegally modified to be smaller and easier to conceal. This modification made the gun far more dangerous, and allowed Pagourtzis to carry the weapon more easily and quickly fire off shots.

This incident is yet another tragic reminder of the danger guns can pose in the wrong hands, and the importance of improving gun safety and security. As a society, we must continue to work towards preventing these horrific tragedies from occurring.