Abstract

Over the past decade, acts of terror committed by those who act at their own direction have increased in frequency across the United States. The number of attacks committed by members of groups, however, has fallen. The study of terrorism maintains its assertion that these acts do not need to be separated by the nature of the perpetrator, group member or otherwise. This leaves a gap in research, one which is vital to study to promote public safety. This paper addresses this gap and investigates why some places experience more individual-directed acts of terror than others, using the past two decades in the United States as a study. More severe grievances, an inability to communicate in the political system, more potential target locations, and increased societal violence could contribute to increased instances of attacks. On the other hand, less access to the means to carry out an attack, and a more repressive government, could decrease the instances. Estimating the effects through multivariate regression models, this study finds that more severe grievances within a state and an inability to participate in the political process increase the number of attacks, while increased violent repression from the state decreases the number.

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