Why are mass shootings becoming more common (since the 80s)?

[Sherman A1]

6. Agreed

There is never just one answer and while you may not have hit everything the applies, you are off to a good start. Another I would add is the 24 hour news cycle which desperate to fill air time with the latest horrific story (when they don't have an election horse race or shark attacks) makes every horrific story into a multi day event of repeat, repeat, repeat with no real investigative journalism. I am of the mind that these events while absolutely tragic are not necessarily all that common, but the feeding frenzy of the media is helping in itself to increase their frequency.