VirginiaTechmassacreThe Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting thattook place on Monday, April 16, 2007 on the campus ofVirginia Techin Blacksburg,Virginia.In twoseparateattacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator,Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people and wounded manyothers before committing suicide.The massacre is thedeadliest peacetime shooting incident by a singlegunman in United States history, on or off a schoolcampus
Virginia Tech massacre • The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on Monday, April 16, 2007 on the campus of Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people and wounded many others before committing suicide. The massacre is the deadliest peacetime shooting incident by a single gunman in United States history, on or off a school campus
Cho, a senior English major at Virginia Tech, hadpreviously been diagnosed with a severe anxietydisorder.During much of his middle school and highschool years,hereceived therapy andspecialeducation support.After graduating fromhigh school.Cho enrolled at Virginia Tech. Due to federal privacylaws, Virginia Tech was not informed of Cho's previousdiagnosis or the accommodations he had been grantedat school. In 2005, Cho was accused of stalking twofemale students.After an investigation, a Virginiaspecial justice declared Cho mentally ill and orderedhim to attend treatment. Lucinda Roy, a professor andformerchairwomanoftheEnglishdepartment,hadalso asked Cho to seek counseling
• Cho, a senior English major at Virginia Tech, had previously been diagnosed with a severe anxiety disorder. During much of his middle school and high school years, he received therapy and special education support. After graduating from high school, Cho enrolled at Virginia Tech. Due to federal privacy laws, Virginia Tech was not informed of Cho's previous diagnosis or the accommodations he had been granted at school. In 2005, Cho was accused of stalking two female students. After an investigation, a Virginia special justice declared Cho mentally ill and ordered him to attend treatment. Lucinda Roy, a professor and former chairwoman of the English department, had also asked Cho to seek counseling
The attacks received international media coverage anddrew widespread criticism of U.S.laws and culture. Itsparked intense debate about gun violence, gun laws,gaps in the U.S. system for treating mental healthissues, the perpetrator's state of mind,theresponsibility of collegeadministrations,privacy lawsjournalism ethics, and otherissues. Television newsorganizations that aired portions of the killer'smultimedia manifesto were criticized by victimsfamilies, Virginia law enforcement officials, and theAmericanPsychiatricAssociation
• The attacks received international media coverage and drew widespread criticism of U.S. laws and culture. It sparked intense debate about gun violence, gun laws, gaps in the U.S. system for treating mental health issues, the perpetrator's state of mind, the responsibility of college administrations, privacy laws, journalism ethics, and other issues. Television news organizations that aired portions of the killer's multimedia manifesto were criticized by victims' families, Virginia law enforcement officials, and the American Psychiatric Association
The massacre prompted the state of Virginia to closelegal loopholes that had previously allowed Cho, anindividual adjudicated as mentally unsound, topurchasehandguns without detectionby the NationalInstant Criminal BackgroundCheckSystem(NiCS).Italso led to passage of the first major federal guncontrol measure in more than 13 years. The lawstrengthening the NiCS was signed by PresidentGeorge W.Bushon January 5,2008.The Virginia Tech Review Panel, a state-appointedbody assigned to review the incident, criticized VirginiaTech administrators for failing to take action that mighthave reduced the number of casualties. The panel'sreport also reviewed gun laws and pointed out gaps inmental health care as well as privacy laws that leftCho's deteriorating condition in college untreated
• The massacre prompted the state of Virginia to close legal loopholes that had previously allowed Cho, an individual adjudicated as mentally unsound, to purchase handguns without detection by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It also led to passage of the first major federal gun control measure in more than 13 years. The law strengthening the NICS was signed by President George W. Bush on January 5, 2008. • The Virginia Tech Review Panel, a state-appointed body assigned to review the incident, criticized Virginia Tech administrators for failing to take action that might have reduced the number of casualties. The panel's report also reviewed gun laws and pointed out gaps in mental health care as well as privacy laws that left Cho's deteriorating condition in college untreated
GunPoliticsof the UsThe issue of firearms has,at times,taken ahigh-profileposition in United States culture and politics. MichaelBouchard,AssistantDirector/Field Operations ofATFestimates that 5,000gun showstakeplaceeach yearin the United States.Incidents of gun violence in 'gun-free' school zones have ignited debate involving gunpolitics in theUnited States
Gun Politics of the US • The issue of firearms has, at times, taken a high-profile position in United States culture and politics. Michael Bouchard, Assistant Director/Field Operations of ATF, estimates that 5,000 gun shows take place each year in the United States. Incidents of gun violence in 'gunfree' school zones have ignited debate involving gun politics in the United States