In recent years, the phenomenon of inscribing messages on shell casings has taken a disturbing turn, reflecting a blend of dark humor, internet culture, and a desire for notoriety among perpetrators of gun violence. This trend was starkly illustrated when a sniper targeted a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Dallas, leaving behind an unfired shell casing marked with “ANTI-ICE.” This incident, alongside others, raises critical questions about the motivations behind such actions and the role of media in amplifying them.
The practice of marking munitions is not new; it has historical roots dating back to ancient Greece, where slingers would carve taunts on lead projectiles. However, the modern iteration of this tradition has morphed into a form of performance art for the internet age. Recent cases, such as the assassination of Charlie Kirk in Utah, revealed spent cartridges inscribed with memes and internet references, including phrases like “If you Read This, You Are GAY lmao.” Such inscriptions may initially appear to convey ideological messages, but experts argue they often serve a different purpose: to attract attention and provoke reactions.
Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the Kirk shooting, candidly admitted that his bullet engravings were largely intended as a joke, stating, “The messages are mostly a big meme.” This sentiment echoes a broader trend identified by researchers like Alex Newhouse from the University of Colorado at Boulder, who emphasizes that the act of writing on ammunition is less about the content and more about the act itself—a performance aimed at garnering attention rather than persuading an audience.
This shift towards performance over persuasion highlights a troubling aspect of contemporary violence. The messages inscribed on shell casings can be seen as a form of absurdist propaganda, designed to spark curiosity and engagement rather than to convert beliefs. In a society where gun violence has become tragically commonplace, these messages can bait the media into amplifying the shooter’s notoriety, transforming them into viral figures.
The case of Luigi Mangione, who allegedly killed the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, further exemplifies this trend. His spent shells bore inscriptions like “deny,” “defend,” and “depose,” which fueled conspiracy theories about his political motivations. The media’s fascination with these cryptic messages often leads to a misinterpretation of the shooter’s intent, as reporters dissect each inscription in search of a coherent narrative. This practice inadvertently plays into the shooters’ hands, granting them the fame they seek.
Criminologists, including Adam Lankford, have noted that many modern attackers are motivated by a desire for celebrity status. A staggering 87 percent of mass shooters reportedly plan their actions with the intent of gaining media attention. By focusing on the inscriptions and the supposed ideologies behind them, the media risks elevating these individuals to anti-hero status, overshadowing the root causes of their violence.
The ethical implications of this media coverage are significant. The “No Notoriety” guidelines, supported by victims’ families and advocacy groups, urge journalists to avoid glorifying killers or their messages. By reframing the narrative and prioritizing the stories of victims rather than the perpetrators, the media can help mitigate the cycle of violence and the spectacle that surrounds it.
Ultimately, the inscribing of slogans on ammunition is a reflection of a deeper cultural issue: the meme-ification of violence. In a world where social media amplifies every act of violence, the line between ideology and performance blurs. These high-profile incidents are as much about theater as they are about any political statement. The real danger lies not in the messages themselves but in society’s tendency to mistake the noise for meaningful communication, potentially replicating the very behaviors that lead to violence.
As we navigate this complex landscape, it is crucial for media outlets to reconsider their approach to reporting on such incidents. By resisting the urge to sensationalize the inscriptions and focusing instead on the broader societal implications, we can begin to dismantle the cycle of violence and reduce the allure of infamy that drives these tragic events.
