Gun violence connotes criminal acts committed using firearms. Brutality involving firearms often qualifies as criminal activities except homicide under specific circumstances. Some accidents occur unintentionally, resulting in injuries or death, and also form part of the statistics available relating to gun violence. An evaluation conducted in the United States indicates that the country has over 393 million firearms in circulation (Campie, Petrosino, Fronius & Read, 2017). As of 2016, the statistical figures relating to homicide cases highlighted the victimization of 4648 individuals between 10 to 24 years. Furthermore, 1.7 million minors reside in households with loaded guns, which comprises 1 home from the 3 evaluate during research. An assessment conducted with regard to the unintentional deaths prevalent among children underscored their occurrence at a margin of 89% in home-related settings. Gun ownership has extensively increased the suicide cases reported in the United States despite the measures implemented in various regions.
Research Question
What is the extent of gun violence in America, and what are the appropriate mitigation measures in different settings?
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Literature Review
In their 2014 paper entitled " Gun Violence in the United States: In Search for a Solution ," Rubens & Shehadeh rely on the Social Ecological Model to determine various factors that subject individuals to risks or protect them from gun-related violence incidents. The authors begin by citing the unfortunate events at Sandy Hook Elementary School that resulted in the gunman's death in addition to 12 victims. Furthermore, the scholastic into account 62 events that occurred in other learning institutions from 1982. However, Rubens & Shehadeh (2014) state that " a closer look at mass murders and shooters reveals some trends and possible interventions " (Rubens & Shehadeh, 2014, p. 1). More specifically, applying the SEM concept provides an appropriate framework for policymakers to assess various factors and how they interact with each other catapulting increased risks with respect to the prevalence of gun-related incidents. The approach recommended in the journal takes into account the emotional debates surrounding gun ownership in America and the propensity of individuals to politicize the issue. The scholars emphasize using different forms of interventions that consider the individuals involved, their relationships, and the communities with which they interact. In addition, Rubens & Shehadeh (2014) emphasizing the importance of taking into account a person's society and how it imposes the expenses accruing to gun ownership.
In their article published in 2016 entitled “Mass Shootings and Mental Illness ," Knoll IV & Annas explain that the perpetrators of mass shootings have a high prevalence of mental illnesses. Psychological disorders increase an individual's propensity to engage in mass violence episodes, as explained by Rubens & Shehadeh (2014). The tragedies often manifest as a result of various complex factors that culminate in actions highlighting an individual's horrific desperation. The authors state that " guns are an efficient and often accessible means to carry out the goal of killing multiple victims " (Knoll IV & Annas, 2016, p. 84). The findings obtained from a clinical study that involved 144 participants reveal the inclination of eight individuals to issue threats highlighting their likely indulgence in mass homicide. The individuals expressed the need to exert revenge or deal with their Anger by hurting others. Additionally, the inability to accurately point out an accomplice exacerbated the situation. Furthermore, violence perpetrators often highlight their intentions to succumb to law enforcers' attacks or engage in self-immolation.
Knoll IV & Annas' journal emphasizes on the implications of historical factors that have a great bearing on an individual's mental health. More specifically, childhood isolation and instances characterized by bullying catapulted some Luna tendencies in mass shooting perpetrators. Additionally, the circumstances expose individuals to social alienation and feelings of despair. The scholars indicate that the affected parties adopted " a paranoid mindset; they believed others to be generally rejecting and uncaring " (Knoll IV & Annas, 2016, p. 85). The research includes 2000 to 2013 findings by the Federal Bureau of Investigation focusing on 160 cases that involved acting shooting episodes. From the evaluation, violence instigators committed suicide at a rate of 40%, and they carried out 70% of the incidents in business premises environments used for education purposes. Study results reveal a small correlation with regards to acts of violence and mental illnesses, particularly where the subjects involved refrain from abusing drugs and other substances. However, researchers highlighted the prevalence of schizophrenia among some of the individuals responsible for mass murders using firearms.
Densley & Peterson (2017) use their publication “ Mass Shootings and Mental Illness " to enable readers to understand the genesis of increased gun ownership in America. The sentiments conveyed in the journal provide an avenue of highlighting how individuals with mental illnesses, as explained by Knoll IV & Annas, eventually own guns despite the danger posed. Densley & Peterson (2017) explain the 1934 implementation of The Firearms Act that established a system, which allows dealers to obtain licensed firearms. Additionally, individuals had to contend with the taxes imposed to obtain guns and the accompanying registration requirements. More specifically, the provisions applied to machine guns in addition to sawed-off shotguns. The scholars also provide some elaboration on the Federal Gun Control Act implemented in 1968 that imposed some prohibitions with respect to availing guns for sale to individuals categorized as dangerous or incapable of efficiently handling the weapons. The authors state that " the idea that owning and carrying a gun is both a fundamental American freedom and an act of citizenship has only gained wide acceptance in the decades since " (Densley & Peterson, 2017, p. 9). The provisions highlighted in the Second Amendment allows Americans to exercise their privileges with respect to bearing arms. In some cases, mass shootings perpetrators often cite their possession of firearms as a means of ensuring their self-defense against unwarranted attacks.
Price & Khubchandani elaborate on the appropriate approaches to reduce gun injuries in " School Firearm Violence Protection Practices and Policies: Functional or Folly, " published in (2019). In light of the issues underscored by Densley & Peterson in their 2017 article, the authors highlight the appropriate mitigation strategies and healthcare frameworks applicable in enhancing the effectiveness or they already implemented policies to mitigate incidents characterized by violence. Price & Khubchandani assert that " policymakers and school administrators can use the perceptions of key stakeholders to understand, explore, and possibly implement firearm violence prevention practices " (2019, p. 3). For instance, the journal highlights the importance of mitigating youth access to guns through the implementation of the appropriate regulations. Secondary measures to avert the violent utilization of firearms emphasizes on a need to ensure that young people refrain from carrying the weapons to their respective learning institution.
Conclusion
Over the years, America has become subject to the rampant occurrence of violent incidents involving guns. An evaluation of different articles indicates that mass shooting incidents manifest as a result of the easy access to firearms. Regulations such as the Second Amendment make it a right for Americans to possess weapons. Even so, research findings highlight the interplay of various factors, including the mental health of gun owners, in increasing the inclination to open fire all other civilians. However, the application of multifaceted emissions mitigation measures would curb the manifestation of gun-related incidents.
References
Campie, P., Petrosino, A., Fronius, T., & Read, N. (2017). Community-Based Violence Prevention Study of the Safe and Successful Youth Initiative: An Intervention to Prevent Urban Gun Violence . American Institutes for Research. https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/grants/250771.pdf
Densley, J. A., & Peterson, J. K. (2017). Gun Violence in America (01). The Violence Project. file:///C:/Users/DELL/Downloads/TVP-GunViolenceinAmerica.pdf
Knoll IV, J. L., & Annas, G. D. (2016). Mass shootings and mental illness. American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 81-104 .
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 United States: in search for a solution. Frontiers in public health , 2 , 17.
