Another week, another mass shooting

[Montmorency]

But what exactly are you referring to then, how the media represents pipe bombs, how people in general perceive pipe bombs, or the actual lethality or safety risk from pipe bomb detonations? None of these are particular interesting, useful, or even relevant angles to explore.

But if I must: pipe bombs do not cause much damage precisely because they are usually made or planned for by amateurs, who make a poor bomb that detonates feebly or not at all, never get a chance to use the bomb, or - most commonly and importantly - get the attention of the FBI during the process of procuring supplies or doing research toward the construction of pipe bombs.

Successful bombers - whether serial killers or terrorists - tend to use more sophisticated devices with better preparation and delivery.