For the last year, I've seen a lot of news about mass shootings on my Facebook feed. And with every one that pops up, I constantly find myself asking: "Why would someone do this?" Although I do not know anyone personally involved in/affected by these shootings, I have friends who have personally seen the effects, and I know that my heart aches for all those people I will never know because of these crimes. But I have always been liberal. I have always been for gun control.

But I have family and friends who do not think this way, and see these shootings as a result of deranged shooters, and not as a political problem. With the intent of educating those who do not see these problems in America, or for those who want more information on what is happening in our country, here is a quick "Mass Shooting Study Guide" to help you get your facts straight.

1. The FBI defines a mass shooting as a crime where four or more people are killed or injured.

2. 462 people have died this year as a result of a mass shooting.

3. Since 1982, 64% of mass shootings have been committed by white people- almost exclusively white men.

4. At minimum, 61% of mass shooters suffered from mental illness, most commonly paranoid schizophrenia. In the majority of these cases, previous signs of mental illness were visible before committing homicide.

5. The U.S. ranks first in guns per capita, with 88.8 firearms per 100 residents.

6. Twenty days in 2015 have seen 4-5 shootings in one day.

7. Fifty times more Americans have been killed by guns than terrorists since 9/11.

8. This Black Friday saw record-breaking gun license requests: 185,345.

9. Most guns in these cases are obtained legally.

10. 49% of Republicans claim they own a gun, compared to 22% of Democrats.

11. Research has shown and proven that more guns lead to more homicides.

12. The U.S. is the number one country for mass shootings, accounting for 31% of all shootings since 1966.

13. The total number of shootings in the countries after the U.S. in mass shootings, Russia, Yemen, France, and the Philippines, do not collectively total even close to the total number of shootings in the U.S.

14. The U.S. has almost 200 million more firearms in circulation than any other country.

15. Although not every household owns a gun, there are enough guns in circulation in America for every person.

16. The majority of mass killings are family-related, not acts of terrorism.

17. 77% of mass killings involve a gun.

18. Thirty states have seen a mass shooting.