This article discusses the problem of gun violence in the USA, its impact, possible solutions, objections to the proposed solutions and alternate solutions. It also highlights the need for a culture of gun safety and responsibility.
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Running head: GUN VIOLENCE Gun Violence Name of the Student Name of the University Author Note
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1GUN VIOLENCE Introduction: Gun Violence can be understood as any form of violence that is committed using a gun and it may or may not be criminal in nature. Criminal gun violence includes incidents such as homicide, assault with deadly weapon and suicide (Malina p175; David and Shah p84). In United States of America, gun ownership has been a constitutional right for all its citizens which according to many are one of the biggest reasons for gun violence in USA (Kalesan et al. p 217.). Discussion: -Problem: According to a CNN report, more people gets killed in USA as a result of gun violence compared to any other high income country worldwide and caused 1800 fatalities as of 2018. The report also showed that about 48% (of 650 million) of the total civilian owned guns around the world are owned by Americans. Similarly the per capita gun ownership in America (89 firearms per 100 people) is also higher than any other country, followed by Yemen (at 55 firearms per 100 people). Even though the population of US makes up less than 5% of the world population, 31% (or 90) of the mass shooters are Americans. The rates of gun related homicides are also 25.2 times higher in US compared to any other high income countries with 36 cases of homicide and 66 cases on unintentional deaths per 1 million people followed by Finland with 3 cases of homicide per 1 million. These statistics clearly shows how the problem of gun violence have reached an acute stage in America and have far outpaced the rates of gun violence in any other high income nations in the world (Fox; bbc.com).
2GUN VIOLENCE (Figure 1: Rate of gun ownership by US citizens compared to the rest of the world. Source: Fox) (Figure 2: Per capita gun ownership in US compared to other countries. Source: Fox)
3GUN VIOLENCE (Figure 3: Countries with most mass shootings. Source: Fox)
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4GUN VIOLENCE Figure 4: Gun related deaths from high income countries. Source: Fox) -Possible Solution: Considering the severe impact of gun violence in the USA, it is vital to consider the possible solutions that can help to reduce the incidence of gun violence in the country. One of the most important solutions to this problem is to develop a culture of gun safety in USA. This can be achieved through the implementation of sensible gun laws and reducing the ease of access to firearms or guns. Stricter laws can help to reduce the rates of gun ownerships in USA and therefore reducing the risks of gun violence (Sacks). A culture of gun safety should also be developed by reducing the access of firearms from the youth as well as from individuals at high risk of harming others or themselves or individuals with known mental health problems (Swanson). Increasing accountability of the gun industries for monitoring the marketing and sales of guns and ammunition to ensure it is sold to responsible adults, engaging responsible gun dealers and ensuring mandatory gun training for gun owners can also help to develop a culture of gun safety (Fox). -Likely objections to the proposed solution: One of the biggest objections that can be raised against the implementation of stricter gun policies that aims to reduce the rates of gun ownerships by American citizen is the constitutional right of the citizen to own firearms. The Second Amendment of the US constitution gives the US citizen the rights to own firearms, and many see a stricter gun policy as an infringement of that constitutional right (Sacks). Additionally, it is also believed by many citizens that ownership of guns allows the American citizens to defend themselves, their families and homes against intrusions and incidents of breaking and entering and thus stricter gun laws would put them at risk of such incidents (Huff). Because of these factors
5GUN VIOLENCE many American citizens and policy makers are in strong favor of gun ownership and do not want stricter gun laws (Newman et al. p44). -Alternate solutions to the objections: Taking into account the safety concerns and constitutional rights of the American citizens, it is possible to propose few alternate solutions to this problem which can help to reduce gun violence. Addressing the problem of gun violence as a public health concern:This can help to involve healthcare delivery system to address the underlying psychological and behavioral factors that cause gun violence which can allow a timely intervention and treatment (Butts). Supporting community planning initiatives for comprehensive community safety plans: Through community development programs it is also possible to increase the sense of safety among the residents and therefore reduce the necessity of gun ownership (Jennings-Bey p950). Implementing a coordinated, high quality, culturally competent network of social, psychological and mental health support to address the impact of trauma: A coordinated care can help to foster a overall mental health of people and therefore mitigate the risks of gun related violence (Butts p40). Supporting research on gun violence:Researches on gun violence is a necessary aspect that can help to understand the causal factors and facilitators of violence and how they can be reduced and therefore help to inform policy reforms (Salt p25). Conclusion:
6GUN VIOLENCE From the discussion above it is evident that the problem of gun violence in USA is significantly more acute compared to any other developed or high income countered worldwide. The high ownership of guns by American citizens is supported by the constitution and safety concerns, however it is possible to develop policies that can foster a culture of gun safety and responsibility as well as address this problem from a mental health perspective which can help to reduce the risks of gun violence in the country.
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7GUN VIOLENCE Works Cited: bbc.com. "America's Gun Culture In 10 Charts."BBC News. N.p., 2018. Web. 4 Dec. 2018. Butts, Jeffrey A., et al. "Cure violence: a public health model to reduce gun violence."Annual Review of Public Health36 (2015): 39-53. Fox, Kara. "America's Gun Culture Vs. The World In 5 Charts."CNN. N.p., 2018. Web. 4 Dec. 2018. Huff, Aimee Dinnin, et al. "Addressing the wicked problem of American gun violence: consumer interest groups as macro-social marketers."Journal of macromarketing 37.4 (2017): 393-408. Jennings-Bey, Timothy, et al. "The trauma response team: a community intervention for gang violence."Journal of urban health92.5 (2015): 947-954. Kalesan, Bindu, et al. "Gun ownership and social gun culture."Injury prevention22.3 (2016): 216-220. Malina, Debra, et al. "Rooting out gun violence." (2016): 175-176. Newman, Joshua, and Brian Head. "The national context of wicked problems: comparing policies on gun violence in the US, Canada, and Australia."Journal of comparative policy analysis: research and practice19.1 (2017): 40-53. Sacks, Chana A., et al. "In the wake of Orlando—taking steps against gun violence." (2016): e19. Salt, Warren, Ned Galka, and John Segura. "Technology Update: New Perforating Gun System Increases Safety and Efficiency."Journal of Petroleum Technology68.04 (2016): 24-26.
8GUN VIOLENCE Stark, David E., and Nigam H. Shah. "Funding and publication of research on gun violence and other leading causes of death."Jama317.1 (2017): 84-85. Swanson, Jeffrey W., et al. "Mental illness and reduction of gun violence and suicide: bringing epidemiologic research to policy."Annals of epidemiology25.5 (2015): 366- 376.