‘Way too many guns around’: experts say firearm access key factor in spate of US family killings

Acts of ‘familicide’ have increased dramatically this year – in the US, the killer is more likely to have easy access to a gun

The US is often known globally for its shocking levels of violence, but acts of “family annihilation” or “familicide” rank among the most disturbing of crimes.

They occur when an assailant kills four or more of their own family members and often see the killer also kill themselves. These types of crime have increased dramatically this year, according to data from Northeastern University.