Mass shootings are a tragic, uniquely American crisis and the debate almost always comes down to two polarizing talking points: gun control vs mental health. While both matter, there’s another driver we rarely talk about: fame.
The hard truth is this many of these killers are already planning to die. For them, infamy is the final prize. They know that by committing an unthinkable act, their face will be plastered on every screen, their name repeated endlessly, and their story dissected in magazines, documentaries, and even Netflix specials.
We keep giving them exactly what they want.
The Contagion Effect
Research confirms what common sense tells us: in the days and weeks after a mass shooting, the odds of another increase. Psychologists call this the contagion effect. The more we show these killers’ names and faces, the more we fuel copycats.
Some even explicitly say in manifestos or social media posts that they want to be remembered alongside past shooters.
A Simple, Bipartisan Step
This is where the No-Notoriety policy comes in; a straightforward approach that can be adopted nationally:
- Blur the faces of mass shooters in all media releases.
- Refer to them publicly only by initials, not full names.
- Focus coverage on victims, survivors, and heroes, not criminals.
This isn’t about restricting the First Amendment. It’s about changing media culture so we stop rewarding killers with global fame.
I believe, and many experts agree, that this single change could reduce mass shootings by 80% or more. Removing the spotlight takes away one of their core incentives.
My Letter to the White House
Below is the letter I recently sent to President Donald Trump and the White House urging action on this policy:
Dear President Trump and White House Staff,
I am writing as a deeply concerned citizen who believes we can take a meaningful step toward preventing future mass shootings, especially those involving our children, by changing how we handle the public identity of these perpetrators.
We know from research and from the killers’ own statements that many of these individuals seek fame in their final moments. They know that by committing an unthinkable act, their faces will be everywhere and their names will be remembered. In many cases, this desire for infamy is a primary motivator.
I urge the Administration to explore and promote a nationwide No-Notoriety policy and would like to help sculpt this policy as well:
- Blur the faces of mass shooters in all media releases.
- Refer to them publicly only by initials, not full names.
- Focus coverage on victims, survivors, and those who acted heroically.
I firmly believe that reducing the chance for these criminals to achieve the fame they seek could reduce these types of crimes by 80% or more. Removing their spotlight takes away one of their core incentives. Importantly, this measure would complement not replace other vital safety efforts, ensuring a broader, more effective approach to prevention.
This is a bipartisan, common-sense measure that puts the focus where it belongs… on the lives lost and the communities healing, not on the person who tried to destroy them.
Thank you for considering this proposal and for your ongoing work to protect the safety of all Americans. I hope you will take action to push this forward at the federal level.
Very Sincerely,
Jim Miller
Los Angeles, CA
What You Can Do
Change starts with awareness and pressure. Here’s how you can help:
- Share this post and talk about the No-Notoriety policy with friends, family, and on social media.
- Contact your elected officials and ask them to publicly support this change.
- Support media outlets that already follow no-notoriety practices.
If we want to stop mass shootings, we must stop giving these killers the thing they crave most: fame.