Issue Analysis on Gun Violence

Running head: HEALTH CARE
Health care
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1HEALTH CARE
Overview of the issue:
Gun violence is a highly prevalent issue in the United States and the rate of gun related
violence is much higher than other developed nations. Gun related deaths particularly homicides
contribute to disparities in life expectancy between the whites and minority groups in US. The
issue has seriously affected the US economy as it cost at least $229 billion per year (Ludwig,
2017) . The main purpose of this paper is to develop a working thesis for the issue analysis on
gun violence. The key thesis statement for the task is that to reduce gun violence, there is a need
to conduct background check including psychiatric health history check for the person and
increase mandatory waiting period for gun purchase. The paper will look at evidence for various
positions on the issue and provide rationale for taking a specific position on the issue.
Discussion on all possible positions on the issue:
There are different positions on the issue of gun violence. One position is that gun
violence should be immediately controlled in America to prevent the burden of mental illness
and crime. Baumann and Teasdale (2018) argue that due to link between mental illness and mass
firearm shootings, there is a need for stronger restrictions on firearm access for individuals with
mental illness. Lu and Temple (2019) also reported that access to firearms is the main culprit that
leads to high hostility and such evidence can have many important implications for gun control
strategies. However, such restriction is dependent on implementation of strong legislation. This
evidence gives the perception that gun violence is rooted in psychiatric problems and firearm
access restrictions can be a possible solution to the problem.
Another supporting argument to reduce gun violence is that background checks for
firearms should be done during purchase. The evidence for the same has been given by

2HEALTH CARE
Wintemute (2014) and the study mainly advocates for the need of review of federal and state
policies to purchase fire arms and conduct background check requirements for firearm transfers.
The main advantage of background checks and denials is that it can substantially minimize the
risk of crime due to firearms. Background check is validated by the Brady’s Act which states the
need to perform background check for purchase from federal firearm licenses. However, the Act
failed to control the rate of fire homicides as the Act do not apply to firearm transfers by
unlicensed private parties. Hence, longstanding policies are required to address these gaps in
federal regulation. A state level study by Kalesan et al. (2016) also supported that universal
background check for purchase of firearms and ammunition is necessary to reduce mortality due
to firearms in USA.
There are many conflict positions on the issue. Many challenge the need for firearms
restriction to prevent gun violence because violent crimes occur because of other social issues
like family dysfunction and exposure to entertainment sources featuring gun violence. The study
by () that suggested that restricting firearm purchase may lead to adaption of other substation
methods for criminalities such as knives and bombs. Through this argument, the author mainly
highlights that disarming citizens cannot prevent gun violence. Instead, it encourages more crime
for criminal elements and less protection for good citizens. Hence, the paper suggested other
means to end gun violence. This included improving the educational system that equips young
minds with proper civics and reforming the way violent is project in the entertainment industry.
Values/beliefs conflict in relation to the issue:
In relation to the issue of preventing gun violence, some values or beliefs that come in
conflict based on restricting firearm possession is that individual right to safety. This is said