Spring 2021 Solvay Seminar Series Prof. Maurizio Porfiri's Seminar: "Modeling ionic polymer metal composites: where we are and where we should be" Join here: https://virginiatech.zoom.us/j/84933445690?pwd=YUFZdmxVSVpEUzVpMFBYbDc3NWRldz09! Hosted by Romesh Batra

Abstract: We are experiencing an unprecedented surge of mass shooting events in the U.S. These events often elicit heated discussion among the public, polarizing opinions on firearm control, as seen and amplified in the media. Previous studies have demonstrated a strong, positive correlation between the frequency of mass shootings and increased firearm prevalence in the U.S. We present an information-theoretic framework, which goes beyond correlational analysis to unravel causal links between mass shootings, media coverage on firearm control, and firearm prevalence. Using empirical data covering from 1999 to 2017, we demonstrate directional information transfer between the time-series of media coverage and the number of background checks, suggesting that media coverage may increase public fear of more stringent firearm control and, in turn, drive firearm prevalence. In other words, people might rush to buy guns because they fear that new regulations may come into effect and their right to acquire a weapon be challenged. Interestingly, this tendency is mediated by the legal environment of the State, whereby permissive States experience the strongest rush toward firearm acquisition. Disentangling causation from correlation is critical in firearm research toward empowering policymakers with strong, objective support for effective policy solutions. This research, published in Nature Human Behaviour and Patterns, constitutes the basis of a new initiative supported by the National Science Foundation to elucidate and engineer the firearm ecosystem in the U.S.