Thesis Paper: Mental Health, Gun Violence, and US Policies

This thesis paper delves into the critical relationship between mental health, gun violence, and gun control policies in the United States. It begins by highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding mass shootings and the frequent association of mental illness with gun violence. The paper establishes the thesis that US gun control policies significantly influence mental health, potentially leading to increased incidents due to emotional instability. A comprehensive literature review supports this standpoint, exploring the backgrounds of mental health and gun violence, as well as the impact of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. The paper examines the prevalence of firearm ownership, the impact of gun violence on individuals and communities, and the public attitudes toward gun control. The paper also discusses the role of gun control in mitigating gun violence and the need for a better understanding of the connection between mental health and gun violence. The paper also emphasizes the significance of addressing mental health issues and the need for mental health services, particularly for children and adolescents. The paper concludes by emphasizing the urgency of addressing gun violence and mental health issues to foster a safer society.

Running head: THESIS PAPER
Thesis Paper
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Abstract
Incidents of mass violence have continually brought mental illness and gun violence into the
national and international debate. The principal public belief is that serious mental illness is the
chief cause of gun violence in the US, and these individuals have more possibilities of
perpetrating violent crime than becoming a victim of such crime. The standpoint taken in the
thesis is that gun control policies of United States of America have a major influence on the
mental health and leads to increased number of mishaps due to lapse in the emotional state. A
literature review is carried out to support the standpoint taken. The review is divided into three
sections- background of mental health, background of gun violence and post traumatic stress
syndrome.

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Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Thesis statement.........................................................................................................................4
Background of mental health....................................................................................................4
Background of gun violence......................................................................................................6
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome...............................................................................................7
References..................................................................................................................................9

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Introduction
The issue of mass shootings and overall gun violence in the United States of America is
to be addressed on an immediate basis, as opined by a number of scholars in the country. Events
of mass violence have repeatedly brought mental illness and gun violence into the national and
international discussion. The reason behind gun violence has often been linked to mental illness,
a concern that raises challenges in setting up national policies. Media coverage and events
reinforce the belief that people suffering from mental illness are dangerous and violent,
especially when there is access to firearms. The primary public belief is that serious mental
illness is the prime cause of gun violence in the US, and these individuals have more chances of
perpetrating violent crime than becoming a victim of such crime. There is substantial literature to
support this belief.
Thesis statement
The standpoint taken in the thesis is that gun control policies of United States of America
have a major influence on the mental health and leads to increased number of mishaps due to
lapse in the emotional state. The gun control should be enforced as a mitigating measure to stop
such crimes. The present paper draws on evidence to prove the fact that availability of guns
without adequate measure for safeguarding the purchase has been the key reason behind the
increase of gun death violence in America. The underlying connection to mental health and the
requirement for background checks and gun control laws in the country are also included the
paper.

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Background of mental health
Barry et al., (2013) highlighted the connection between mental illness and gun violence
citing some real-life examples. The four events of gun violence cited in the paper shared two
common features. Firstly, all the four shooters were suffering from mental illness, and secondly,
all of them used guns with large-capacity magazines. As policymakers strive to consider options
for reducing gun violence, there has to be an understanding of the public attitudes regarding
different violence-prevention proposals, including policies that have a deep impact on the people
suffering from mental illness.
Koplewicz (2013) pointed out that in the wake of multiple tragedies occurring in the US,
the focus of lawmakers has shifted towards the issue of gun control. However, the national is
missing out the opportunity to understand the adverse results of untreated mental illness in
adolescents and children that result in gun violence. Adolescent and mental health need
particular attention as silence on this aspect is a key contributor for violence and pervasive
tragedy overall. Shame and stigma have been connected to mental illness at the primary level.
The lack of innovative treatments further adds to the high prevalence of mental illness in the
country. Schildkraut and Hernandez (2014) in this regard have stated that people have an
inclination to purchase weapons when there are criminal convictions or mental issues. There
have been millions of cases reported of diagnosed mental illness and purchase of weapons.
However, it is not possible practically to check the background of a person every and continue to
do so every year after purchase of a firearm. The gun control Acts must expand the licensing
requirements for the prohibition of sales to people who are mentally incompetent.
Appelbaum and Swanson (2010) highlighted that when a person with mental illness
engages in a crime of violence, more precisely that with an firearm, the focus is on the restriction

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of gun access and not on legislation for mental disorder. People who take part in such crime are
often in need of psychiatric treatment but avoid accessing services due to fear. This is of prime
importance since shooting sports is a part of lives of people in the US, and people do not access
services for fear of loosing the right to have firearms. Moreover, stereotypes reinforce people
with the certain mental condition as dangerous and mentally defective. Since people with mental
illness internalise the undesirable and negative perceptions of others, their inclination to cause
harm to others is inflicted. The negative stereotypes lead to social avoidance and poor self-
esteem, becoming a cause of harm to others.
Background of gun violence
Kangas and Calvert (2014) highlighted that he United States is one of the most noted
countries in the world for high rate of firearm ownership and firearm related suicide, homicide
and unintentional death. The National Survey of the Private Ownership of Firearms has reported
that American Adults own approximately 192 million working firearms. This implies an average
of one firearm per adult. Though there has been a decline in the rate of gun-related injuries since
the year 1993, the same remains a major cause of premature death and injury at present. Almost
4.5 million new firearms are sold every year in the country. The total number of firearm
transactions can reach up to 9.5 million per year, and half of these are unregulated. This is
noteworthy since the laws set in place for influencing firearms do not influence half of the annual
transactions.
According to Goss (2015), the US has more number of gun violence than any other
advanced industrial democratic country of the world like UK, Canada and Australia. While these
nations have given adequate response to mass shootings as evident by dramatic strengthening of

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gun laws, the US has moved in a slow manner. The American gun laws have always been
criticised to be far weaker than those of other parts of the world. At present, the firearm laws are
weaker than those prevalent in the country in the past. Gun laws are to be made stronger since
the present political environment is highly polarised.
In recent years, the frequent mass shootings in the US has become the cause of open
dialogue regarding mental illness and gun violence (McGinty et al., 2014). The two of the most
noted ones were that at Virginia Tech and that in Tuscan. In addition, the shooting at Connecticut
2012 also highlighted the importance of controlling gun violence.
Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome
Slovac (2002) studied the factors underpinning gun violence and trauma experienced by
children after exposure. Males were reported to have more exposure to gun violence than women
in the US. Further, children in rural communities have more access to guns due to parental
influence. The study illustrated that exposure to gun violence places adolescents and youth ar
risk of physical harm as well as poor mental health. Gun violence is responsible for
psychological havoc for the young population. Exposure to violence as victim contributes to
trauma in a stronger manner than a witness to violence. In this regard, it was mentioned that
gender was a major variable for prediction of trauma as girls suffer more trauma than boys.
Nardi (2015) highlighted the impact of violence exposure on the individual, stating that
the consequences of exposure to violence on child development are rooted in reality. The author
pointed out that youth and children who are exposed to chronic trauma experiences inhibited
brain development which has a long-lasting impact on life outcomes. Due to such an exposure,
the individuals suffer skill deficits and lead to high rate of crime in later life. Children experience

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issues with aggression and violence as they do not possess nonviolent skills for conflict-
resolution. Children to violence face immense stress, and struggle to control their emotions.
Wolpert and Gimpel (1998) had studied the public attitude towards gun control and impact of
gun violence. The public attitude towards the impact of gun violence is mostly negative, with
minimal support provided to those who have undergone or witnessed violence. Price et al.,
(2002) had stated in this regard that until exposure to violence is completely eliminated, the
growth of mental health issues is likely to grow. Since there is the dramatic growth of incidence
of post-traumatic disorder due to gun violence, service providers need to actively educate the
public on this aspect.

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References
Appelbaum, P., & Swanson, J. (2010). Law & Psychiatry: Gun Laws and Mental Illness: How
Sensible Are the Current Restrictions?. Psychiatric Services, 61(7).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.61.7.652
Barry, C. L., McGinty, E. E., Vernick, J. S., & Webster, D. W. (2013). After Newtown—public
opinion on gun policy and mental illness. New England journal of medicine, 368(12),
1077-1081.
Goss, K. A. (2015). Defying the odds on gun regulation: The passage of bipartisan mental health
laws across the states. American journal of orthopsychiatry, 85(3), 203.
Kangas, J. L., & Calvert, J. D. (2014). Ethical issues in mental health background checks for
firearm ownership. Professional psychology: research and practice, 45(1), 76.
Koplewicz, H. S. (2013). Call to action. Journal of child and adolescent psychopharmacology 23
(1). DOI: 10.1089/cap.2013.2315
McGinty, E. E., Frattaroli, S., Appelbaum, P. S., Bonnie, R. J., Grilley, A., Horwitz, J., ... &
Webster, D. W. (2014). Using research evidence to reframe the policy debate around
mental illness and guns: process and recommendations. American journal of public
health, 104(11), e22-e26.
Nardi, D. (2015). Decreasing Risk for Mass Shootings in the United States. Journal of
psychosocial nursing and mental health services, 53(12), 3-5.
Price, J. H., Dake, J. A., & Thompson, A. J. (2002). Congressional voting behavior on firearm
control legislation: 1993–2000. Journal of community health, 27(6), 419-432.

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Schildkraut, J., & Hernandez, T. C. (2014). Laws that bit the bullet: A review of legislative
responses to school shootings. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 39(2), 358-374.
Slovak, K. (2002). Gun violence and children: Factors related to exposure and trauma. Health &
Social Work, 27(2), 104-112.
Wolpert, R. M., & Gimpel, J. G. (1998). Self-interest, symbolic politics, and public attitudes
toward gun control. Political Behavior, 20(3), 241-262.