not rate, but total number
note this is based on an idea of 4+ victim == 'mass shooting', regardless if it was crazy f**k or if a drive by gang hit or a parent who kills self, spouse and two children. this inflates the "mass shootings" but it still shows that it's been roughly flat. you could argue that there are more victims now because of the type of guns available. but of course that doesn't make any sense for your argument. you see, 2003 was deadliest year of 'mass shootings' in the us... which was during the height of the assault weapons ban (it expired the next year)
