America faces a crisis from violent cases that involve firearms. Brutal acts involving guns contribute to homicide incidents in the United States and the traumas that individuals sustain physically and psychologically in their lifetime. The Pew Research Centre established that individuals became subject to threats and intimidation from other people wielding guns at a rate of 23%. On the other hand, 44% of the research participants knew an individual who had sustained gunshot injuries. An evaluation conducted from 2008 to 2017 indicated that over 342 439 people died from firearm-related incidents. Gun homicides account for 35% of the incidents reported compared to self-immolation cases at a margin of 61% as per the 2008-2017 evaluations conducted using the data collected from different American states (Vargas, 2019). The research paper highlights the most appropriate methods and strategies for effectively dealing with gun violence in America. The research's justification emanates from the study's highlights of the most appropriate strategy for eradicating or effectively dealing with gun violence in the United States.
Thesis Statement
Gun violence exposes Americans to previous unwarranted circumstances that could result in death or severe injuries, especially in the absence of the appropriate strategies and policies necessary in averting such events.
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Literature Review
Rubens & Shehadeh (2014) seek to establish the correlation between mental illnesses and cases of mass shootings in their paper entitled " Gun violence in the United States: in search of a solution ." The authors rely on the social-ecological model to guide the inquisition into incidents involving gun violence, particularly with respect to public health. The theoretical framework outlines four levels that increase an individual's risk of violent cases or guards them against such occurrences. The researchers explain that " mental illness fails to be a sufficient reason for mass murder " (Rubens & Shehadeh, 2014, p.1). The report emphasizes the need to evaluate root causes of gun violence aside from gun ownership of all the United States' policies, such as the Second Amendment. The article highlights the areas in which America has failed that have culminated in the crisis prevalent from firearms' irresponsible use. More specifically, it highlights the impact of political interventions in preventing the effective utilization of evidence-based research as a means of guiding policy formulation procedures.
Similarly, Knoll & Annas (2016) aim at addressing common misconceptions that highlight the propensity of individuals with various forms of mental disorders to engage in mass shooting episodes in their article " Mass Shootings and Mental Illness ." The study incorporates evidence-based facts to disassociate mental illness patients with mass shootings and other forms of violent crimes. More specifically, the researchers said that " the factors contributing to mass murder are broad ," including a person's inherent characteristics (Knoll & Annas, 2016, p. 86). The research provides some relevant information with respect to the appropriate strategies necessary in effectively dealing with gun violence highlights the efficacy associated with already implemented firearm-related policies to prevent mass shooting cases in the future.
On the other hand, Densley & Peterson (2017) provide some useful insights into aspects that push perpetrators to engage in violent acts in their publication " Gun Violence in America. " James A. Densley affiliates himself with a metropolitan State University as an associate professor. On the other hand, Jillian K. Peterson works at Hamline University. Both researchers focus on criminology and the dispensation of criminal justice in their respective institutions. The study provides empirical evidence collected from different sources. It evaluates regulations such as the Bill of Rights , the American Constitution, in addition to the Second Amendment with regards to the rights conferred on the nation's citizens to bear arms. The scholars state that " Republicans and Democrats are much more divided over other policy proposals " (Densley & Peterson, 2017, p. 11). The researchers indicate the challenges facing America with regards to implementing the appropriate regulations to curb gun ownership and the propensity of individuals to engage in violent acts. The research provides insights into how the already implemented laws have failed to effectively deal with gun violence cases and policymakers' impact on enacting the appropriate mitigation measures.
Price & Khubchandani (2019) comprehensively review the available literature to highlight contemporary prevention practices that aim at deterring violence episodes in schools involving firearms in the document " School Firearm Violence Prevention Practices and Policies: Functional or Folly? " The researchers assert that learning institutions' inability to implement the appropriate mitigation strategies makes them vulnerable to increased insecurity. The scholars explain that " School systems need to engage in collaborative research for evidence-based practices and policy advocacy through coalition building to address state firearm laws " (Price & Khubchandani, 2019, p. 154). The study provides useful details pertaining to the rate at which severe cases involving firearms have affected American learning institutions and highlights the appropriate, cost-effective measures that school systems can implement to avert the prevalence of violence cases.
The four articles reviewed explain how gun violence has affected American societies at different levels. The journals critically evaluate gun laws at different levels and the implications on people's ability to own firearms. The finding effectively highlights the outcomes evident from already implemented measures and the areas that require some improvement.
Discussion
The regulations currently implemented in America predominantly restrict individuals with different forms of mental illnesses from possessing firearms. Even so, people suffering from cognitive challenges account for a small percentage of the mass shooting cases evident in America. The areas frequently targeted by violent perpetrators often serve a large number of people and include schools in addition to entertainment facilities. American communities have the responsibility of expanding the services offered to cater to their inhabitants' mental health. On the other hand, schools must implement educational interventions to reduce brutal incidents that are resolved in gunshot wounds or even death. Gun owners without the appropriate licenses from the appropriate authorities must face some stringent legal measures. For instance, " police chiefs at PERF's conference called for the certainty of punishment for illegal possession of firearms " (Police Executive Research Forum, 2019, p. 9). Law enforcers indicate that some of the reports made pertaining to shooting episodes involved individuals with multiple arrest records. More specifically, police officers indicated that such individuals' temporary detention stemmed from their possession of firearms illegally. However, the culprits failed to serve a designated jail time. The cities affected include New Orleans, Chicago as well as Baltimore.
Additionally, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System must have the necessary support to promptly obtain complete information to facilitate the standardization of the information reported. Despite the fact that individuals with cognitive challenges contribute to a small percentage of gun violence incidents, NICS screening ensures such information relating to the applicants. It determines the propensity to acquire a firearm. The document by the Police Executive Research Forum (2019) explains that most gun sales " do not go through a background check process " (p. 11). Even so, NICS contains the sale of over 1.5 million firearms illegally from 1998. Implementing policies that enhance the system's operation would eliminate instances in which irresponsible people possess firearms.
Hemenway (2017) also underscores some additional strategies applicable to preventing gun violence. He explains that " the public health approach contains four key components " (Hemenway, 2017, p. 4). The researcher highlights the importance of using a preventive approach that tackles challenges before they manifest. He also emphasizes focusing on designated populations as opposed to individuals. Additionally, discuss the importance of using a systemized approach that has an increased inclination to eliminate errors in addition to inappropriate behaviors. Lastly, the scholar elaborates on the importance of involving various stakeholders in dealing with gun violence instead of primarily depending on the system that dispenses criminal justice.
My analysis of available literature indicates that most American households retain their possession of rifles. The inappropriate vetting procedures implemented in various states indicate that the gun violence problem prevalent in the United States could persist into the future, especially with their current emphasis on people with various mental disorders. I believe that the already implemented policies could improve their efficacy. Additionally, community approaches would yield positive outcomes in preventing gun violence. Thus, vetting systems such as the NICS require enough support to ensure that gun ownership becomes a privilege only enjoyed by responsible Americans.
Conclusion
Effectively dealing with gun violence cases would ensure that the United States reduces the societal costs prevalent from adequately dealing with the aftermath of such violent episodes. The appropriate actions provide an avenue of ascertaining that communities remain safe oil, safeguarding vulnerable populations' well-being. In some cases, perpetrators often target unarmed civilians and even minors. The appropriate policies provide an avenue to adequately scrutinizing the character and personality of potential gun owners. Over-the-year, firearm laws have extensively focused on individuals with mental disorders owing to the perceived dangers they pose to society, particularly when they have access to guns. Evidence-based research indicates that other factors, including narcissism, increase an individual's chances to become a mass shootings perpetrator. Thus, American regulations must focus on society as a whole. Additionally, stakeholders must create frameworks that deal with different forms of mental issues among populations residing in a given region.
References
Densley, J. A., & Peterson, J. K. (2017). Gun Violence in America (01). The Violence Project. file:///C:/Users/DELL/Downloads/TVP-GunViolenceinAmerica.pdf
Hemenway, D. (2017). Reducing firearm violence. Crime and justice , 46 (1), 201-230.
Knoll IV, J. L., & Annas, G. D. (2016). Mass shootings and mental illness. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 81-104 .
Police Executive Research Forum. (2019, March). Reducing Gun Violence: What Works, and What Can Be Done Now . https://www.policeforum.org/assets/reducinggunviolence.pdf
Price, J. H., & Khubchandani, J. (2019). School firearm violence prevention practices and policies: functional or folly?. Violence and Gender , 6(3), 154-167.
Rubens, M., & Shehadeh, N. (2014). Gun violence in the United States: in search of a solution. Frontiers in public health , 2 , 17.
Vargas, E. W. (2019, November 20). Gun violence in America: A state-by-state analysis . Center for American Progress. https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/guns-crime/news/2019/11/20/477218/gun-violence-america-state-state-analysis/
