Sociology Case Study: Gun Violence in the UK - Causes and Theories

This case study delves into the pressing social issue of gun violence among young black boys and men in the United Kingdom, highlighting its disproportionate impact on this demographic. It presents statistical data on firearm offenses, emphasizing the concentration of gun violence in major cities and the rise in incidents over time. The study explores various contributing factors, including systematic disadvantages, poor social upbringings, and the influence of single-parent families and poverty. It then applies sociological theories, such as social learning theory and Marxism/conflict theory, to explain the issue. The social learning theory posits that criminal behavior is learned through observation and interaction, while the conflict theory, drawing on the works of Karl Marx and Max Weber, examines the role of power disparities, social structures, and class struggles in fueling gun violence. The case study concludes by discussing the implications of these theories for professional practice and offers insights into potential interventions and solutions.

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Gun violence among black boys and men: A case study of the United Kingdom
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Social issue: Gun violence among young black boys and men in the United Kingdom
Description of social issue
Current affairs document that black young men and boys have featured significantly in gun crime
violence and others associated in the United Kingdom. Gun violence entails all criminal violence
committed by firearm and may range from non-fatal incidents to homicides (Felson, Berg,
Rogers, 2014 P.89). Gun violence and related crime is a social issue that has received so much
attention from not only policymakers but also other members of the public.
Gun violence and firearms offenses are concentrated in London, West Midlands, and
Manchester. It is as well essential to note that young black boys and are disproportionately the
victims as well as perpetrators of such crimes. In 2011/212 alone, about 23% of the reported 40%
of cases of gun violence were carried out by young black men aged between 15 to 29 years
(Bernstein, 2015 p.74). In the year that ended on 31st March 2019, a total of 6, 759 cases of gun
violence were recorded in England and Wales alone. This was an increase of 4% in comparison
to 2018, with the highest number registered standing at 7,040 in 2011 (Osborne, Lau, Britton,
Smith, 2012 p.108). From 2014 there has been an increase in gum violence crimes in as indicated
in the fig.1 below

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Figure 1. Firearm offenses since 2008
Despite strong sentiments that surround this issue, evidence shows that the United Kingdom has
not averted gun crime by any means. Gun violence, especially among young black men, is
becoming a tradition, especially in the cities of major towns in the United Kingdom. The 1996
Dunblane massacre is prominent within the public memory. A former scout leader with a legally
licensed gun owner shot down sixteen young children and then turned the gun to himself. This
act was followed by a widespread outcry that forced the conservative government to amend
existing legislation on gun ownership. Private ownership of handguns was prohibited in the
United Kingdom. A most recent case of high scale gun violence is that of 2nd June 2010
(Swanson, McGinty, Fazel, Mays, 2015 p.51). A taxi driver, Derrick Bird, shot down twelve
people. Even though both of these acts were not carried out by you, black boys, or men, the
damage they have done to the public is so unmeasurable. They are a source of inspiration to
many young men who have a dislike on the social system. Evidence shows that in every ten
people, two are facing systematic advantage, which is often the root course of the crime,
including gun violence in the United Kingdom. Statistics on racial disproportionality of gun
violence in the UK are a direct reflection of the society's failure in nurturing of black boys.
Policymakers and campaigners often accuse the media of 'racializing' issues of gun violence.
They indicate that black males are more naturally and inherently predisposed to gun violence and
other criminality issues. In the group, things are not any different (Swanson et al, 2016 p.47). A
majority of United Kingdom residents believe that systematic issues regarding the treatment of
young black men have directly impacted on the level of gun violence in the region. According to
research by sky news, in London alone, blacks comprise a higher percentage of not only murder
suspects but also murder victims and indicated in fig.2 below

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Figure 2. Statistics of gun and knife-related violence in London
Apart from systematic disadvantage, a high percentage of young black men in the United
Kingdom have poor social upbringings, and this has been related to increased gun crime in the
region. A recent study by Runnymede Trust, a race equality based organization, shows that 59%,
44%, and 61% of black Caribbean, black African, and mixed-race households respectively grow
up in single-parent families. The figure is 22% for those in the white community (Cowie,
Hutson, Jennifer, Myers, 2008 p.73).Besides, nine out of ten of these families are headed by a
woman. Black children born in such settings often have a challenge in finding role models, and
as a result, most of them end up idolizing gang leaders, thus falling into crime. A high number of
such black and ethnic minority single parents are not only unstable but also low paying wages
(Shuttleworth, Galloway, Sparrow, Lane, 2009 p.62). According to scholars, by 2020, a high
percentage of such parents will lose a high percentage of their income as a result of increasing
poverty and discrimination based on gender as well as race. For this reason, more black young
children are at risk of falling into cases of gun violence or maybe worse.

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Poverty breeds violence, and organized crime, and the black community has suffered this for the
last twenty years. According to a research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the poverty rate
of ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom is double that of white groups. According to various
activists, gun violence is a bitter harvest that the society has to endure based on its neglect for
black young men's societal preferences as well as systemic imbalances. There is a lot of financial
pressure on young black men. Statistics show that one out of five black men in the United
Kingdom is willing to risk their life in crime if it makes them more money than it would
legitimately take them to make (Cutts, Bridle, Bleetman, 2006 p.201). Many challenges are
faced by young black men in the United Kingdom today. Statistically, black men are more likely
to have poorer educational outcomes, to be unemployed, to get into poverty and thus to get into
gun violence and organized crime. Apart from this, according to the Royal College of
Psychiatrists, black men are less likely to receive support and care while facing mental health
issues. It is therefore conclusive that most black boys and men in the United Kingdom are more
likely to be not only victims but also perpetrators of gun violence in comparison to their white
counterparts.
Sociological approaches and theories in understanding gun violence among back boys and men
in the United Kingdom
In the 21st century, it is virtually impossible to surf the internet, go through a newspaper or turn
on the television without coming across another case of gun committed violence. It is therefore
clear that gun violence is a challenge not only in the United Kingdom but also other areas across
the Europe (Oatley & Crick, 2014 p.47). The magnitude of this particular issue in the United
Kingdom requires preemptive action and not simple measures such as gun control policies.
Various sociological approaches and theories have been used to explain the issue of gun violence

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in the United Kingdom such as the Social learning theory and Max Weber bureaucracy
approach.
According to the social learning theory, gun violence and criminal behavior is learned in the very
same way like any other behavior. Learning of criminal behavior is not only learned by direct
communication and association with criminals but also through modeling and observation.
Intensity and frequency of exposure is also a factor in learning, in cases of high frequency and
exposure to criminal activities, greater degree of learning is common (Akers & Jennings, 2019
p.63). It is as well essential to note that the learning process requires a specific motivation,
techniques as well as attitudes. With the right motivation, attitude and technique learning is
highly enhanced.
The theory stipulates that children learn how to behave through their routine interactions with
people in their immediate environment. Several influences on children have been mentioned
including media, schoolmates, teachers, family and close friends. Among these factors, it family
and close friends has the most impact regarding children learning. Learning goes beyond
behavior and actions, it extends to beliefs too (Brauer & Tittle, 2012 p.62). An exposure to
violence often contributes to cycle of violence for the child in future. If exposure to violence in
childhood can have far-reaching implications, an exposure to gun will be beyond worst. When
children are exposed to a greater degree of gun violence by either being a victim or a witness of
it, they get desensitized of violence. Such children have a higher tendency of engaging in high
risk activities and behaviors including crime.
Apart from the social learning theory, the Marxism and the conflict theory by Karl Marx provide
a better understanding on the issue of gun violence among black young boys and men in the
United Kingdom. According to Karl Marx, the society has been fragmented into groups that

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compete for economic as well as social resources (Webster, Whitehill, Vernick, Parker, 2012
p.80). Besides, social order is only maintained by domination and it often lies in the hands of
those with greatest economic and political resources. A simple interpretation of this is that those
in possession of wealth will do all it takes to protect it while those without will do everything to
attain it. This particular dynamic indicates that there would be a continuous struggle between the
poor and the rich. Karl Marx implicates that humans exhibits natural instinct towards conflict. It
is essential to note that Marx does not support conflict but rather he considers it as an inevitable
aspect of human nature.
In this particular case, gun violence is just among the many struggles for power as suggested by
Karl Marx. Disparities exists in the society with the young black boys and men having lesser
opportunities. A natural disparity exists in the society that define our social structures and
divisions. Social structures as well as human relationships exhibit and experience inequalities of
power (Milios & Dimoulis, 2018 p.75). As a result of this, more people are likely to be more
developed than others. This theory can be used to explain the increased cases of gun violence in
the United Kingdom. In this perspective, the young black boys and men are considered to be
those with less power while their white counterparts are those in power and authority. Based on
the disparities in class and status, young black men fight back to gain power and this results into
more conflict and increase gun violence and crimes.
German sociologist Max Weber who is well known for his views on bureaucracy conquered with
Karl Marx on this theory but also included that apart from economic in equalities, political as
well as social structures cause conflict. According to Weber, different groups of people are
affected differently based on aspects such as race, gender and education just but to mention a few
(Prasch, 2013 p.56). Apart from this, people's severity and reaction to inequality is moderated by

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a number of variables. These variables comprise class differences, social mobility rate and
perceptions on the sources of power and its legitimacy.
Implication of social theory to professional practice
Both the social learning and conflict theory can be used in addressing various social problems by
providing a concrete explanation of how they develop and what action can be taken to address
them. As depicted earlier, the social learning theory provides an explanation on the availability
of a social problem like the case of gun violence in the United Kingdom. Social divisions and
structures is considered as the main cause of gun violence because of the increased disparities
among the young black men with the greater white population in the region. Since individuals in
power control the system incidences of systemic injustices are not a rare thing (Laclau, 2012
p.86). The black community continues to be disadvantaged and for that reason conflict becomes
a solution perhaps poverty is a driver of violence. When children are born in such an
environment where violence is a normality they tend to desensitize from acts of terror and crime
and as such they develop the ability to engage in riskier activities gun violence and crime being
one of them.
The conflict theory by Karl Marx provides a deeper understanding on social stratification. There
exists a conflict of interest among the two social classes. It is as well essential to note that the
focus here was on social strata and not general inequality. Karl Marx identifies several variables
to be the cause of conflict (Tinghai, 2013 p.204). Among the variables is economic rewords,
political organizations and class consciousness. Social stratification divides the society and the
resulting unequal distribution of resources results discontent, systemic injustices and failures thus
explaining the existence of gun violence among young black boys and men in the United
Kingdom.

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Sociological theories can be used to not only explain the occurrence but also how to deal with
social problems and changes. Conflict can only stop if people recognize their differences and
decide not to be divided by such issues. (Saha &De 2017 p.97).But since these disparities exists
and have been identified to be the main cause of conflict including gun violence measures need
to be taken to reduce these disparities. For instance, to reduce such disparities both races in the
United Kingdom are provided with equal opportunities. When chances and opportunities are
equal conflicts tend to naturally reduce. Apart from this measures have also been adopted to
address the issue of gun violence among young black boys in the United Kingdom (Roberts,
Hite, Chorev, 2014 p.89). It is essential to note that all measures adopted have been designed in a
way that they reduce existing conflict between the identified social classes. For instance, to
address the issue of gun violence among young black boys and men in the United Kingdom, the
government adopted strict legislation on gun ownership. Gun restriction tends to reduce power
from those already in upper class, a sense of equality is created in the process reducing conflicts
which reflects to reduction on gun violence.
Today, the United Kingdom has one of the strictest control measures regarding public access to
firearms in the world. The Dunblane School Massacre and Cumbra shootings in 1996 and 2010
respectively have seen the UK adapt restrict restrictions on gun ownership. Young black boys
and men in the region have been associated with gun violence and crime. Systemic injustices and
increased social stratification and inequality has been attributed to this increase. Gun violence
among black youths is a social challenge that can only be resolved by addressing the root
because of it. First and foremost, the society needs to let go off the idea of social stratification
(Hemenway, 2013 p.73). As suggested by Karl Marx in his theory on social change, in order to
reduce the conflict, people should focus on reducing the disparities that exists. When disparities

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are addressed conflicts tend to reduce and the same case applies to the issue of gun violence in
the United Kingdom.
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