Introduction
Gun violence in the US is an emotive topic which arouses many debates in the country. Case of gun violence rose tremendously in the country over the past years. Gun violence is prevalent in the poor neighborhoods and among male adults. There have been mass shootings of students in schools in various parts of the country. This fueled the clamor for gun control measures. However, establishing policies that effectively control gun violence has proved divisive. The country currently remains divided between those in support for gun control measures and those against gun control. Gun violence and control is my research proposal topic which I aim to research and fully explore.
Kleck, Gary. Point Blank: Guns and Violence in America. New Brunswick, N.J: Aldine Transaction, 2005. Print.
This book by Kleck is useful for my proposal and for my subsequent research. Kleck explores at length the current gun violence situation in the country. This source describes the recent massive killings in the country. According to Kleck, criminals mostly use rifles for gun violence. Other missiles used are handguns. Kleck also exemplifies homicide cases in the country as a form of gun violence. Homicide cases account for approximately 67% of all gun violence cases. Suicides cases are also a major source of gun violence in the country accounting for one-third of all violence cases.
The current number of Americans losing their lives through gun violence is catastrophic. As of this month, approximately 17,885 people lost their lives since the beginning of the year. However, this number may be higher because some media channels fail to air some gun violence cases. The description of the current gun violence in the country provides accurate account of the cases in my proposal. My proposal borrows heavily information on gun violence cases from this source. Kleck’s exploration of the topic inspired me to research on the topic with an aim of coming up with effective policies to curb gun violence in the country.
Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013. Print.
This source provides critical analysis of possible policies of reducing gun violence in the country. It provides an insightful examination of effective policies to adopt in order to control gun violence. Among the policies proposed by this source is gun sale regulation. This source proposes stringent regulation of gun sale companies as well as boundary checks on all gun sales.
The policies proposed by this source are the subject of my research questions which include:
What policies can effectively control and reduce gun violence?
Are gun control policies an infringement of the citizen’s constitutional right to own guns? This source enabled me to come up with the above research questions.
DeConde, Alexander. Gun Violence in America: The Struggle for Control. Boston, Mass: Northeastern Univ. Press, 2003. Print.
DeConde also offers an insightful analysis of gun violence case in the country just like the 1st source. This source describes the high profile shootings as well as assassinations of public figures in the country. In addition, DeConde provides the different mindsets and perspectives for and against gun violence. He describes the current impasse on gun control measures. DeConde also provides the challenges facing policies of gun control.
This source provides the controversies surrounding policies of gun control. The constitutional right of ownership of guns is one controversy affecting measures to regulate gun usage. My proposal analyzes this controversy and provides recommendations on the issue.
Cefrey, Holly. Gun Violence. New York: Rosen Pub, 2009. Print.
Cefrey also analyzes the gun violence cases in the country. He dwells on different types of gun violence that includes mass shootings, homicide and guns instigated suicide cases. This source supports gun regulation measures in order to reduce the rampant gun violence cases in the country. Cefrey also provides the perspectives of those against gun control.
This source inspired me to consider gun violence and control as my topic. Cefrey analysis on the issue necessitates the need of actions against gun control. It is for these reasons that I decided to research on gun violence with the aim of coming with objectives that will help avert the current tragedies.
Wright, James D, Peter H. Rossi, Kathleen Daly, and Eleanor Weber. Under the Gun: Weapons, Crime, and Violence in America. New Brunswick, N.J. (U.S.A.: Aldine Transaction, 2006. Print.
The photograph above shows different firearms recovered by police. The photograph shows firearms described by this source used to perpetrate gun violence. These firearms show illegal ownership of ammunitions in America. This source describes the different weapons used for gun violence in America. According to this source, the weapons used in gun violence are mostly rifles and handguns. This source also analyzes the current crime rates in different parts of the country. In addition, it explores the perpetrators of gun violence. It analyzes the race, age and socioeconomic class of gun violence perpetrators.
This source helps me to establish effective solutions that ensure young males do not engage in gun violence. Adoption of macroeconomic policies aimed at providing employment to the adult males will help in curbing gun violence gangs. Therefore this source enables men to establish such insightful solutions.
Carter, Gregg L. Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law. Santa Barbara, Ca: ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print.
The above image shows one of the uses of guns in America. Gun hunting is an important part of the American culture since the 16th century. In this reward, gun hunters may oppose any gun control measures. Carter describes the use of guns in the American culture as shown by the above image. According to this source, guns are an integral commodity in American societies. Gun usage is deeply engraved in American culture. Carter states that guns were useful during the 16th century during the Westward expansion. During those times, people used guns for self-defense against wild animals and other insurgents as well as for hunting.
This source provides a deep understanding of the preference of guns among some citizens. This understanding is crucial in examining effective recommendations of curbing gun violence.
Ludwig, Jens, and Philip J. Cook. Evaluating Gun Policy: Effects on Crime and Violence. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2003. Print.
Ludwig and Philip evaluate the possible effects of gun control measures. This source examines the advantages and disadvantages of policies to regulate gun violence. It examines the effects of gun regulation on the level of crime rates. This source deeply explores the concern whether gun control reduces crime rates by examining different theories on the issue.
My proposal applies some of the theories of the effects of gun policies on crime rates. For instance explains that gun control may increase gun violence instead of reducing it. This is because gun regulations prevent individuals from defending themselves hence became vulnerable to gun murders. This is not true because gun regulation prevents firearms from reaching gangster groups.
Reducing Gun Violence: Community Problem Solving in Atlanta. Washington, DC: United States. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 2006. Print.
This is a report on gun violence situation in Atlanta. Atlanta is one of the cities where gun violence is rampant especially among young males. This source proposes communal solutions of solving the problem. One solution proposed is developing social programs that provide economic incentives to young males in order to avoid criminal activities. My proposal adopts this solution as one of the ways of preventing gun violence especially among young males from poor households.
Reducing Youth Gun Violence: An Overview of Programs and Initiatives: Program Report. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1996. Print.
This source proposes different measures of reducing gun violence. It establishes concrete policies of reducing gun violence among youths. One policy proposed by this source is implementation of stringent penalties against youths who engage in gun violence. This source proposes such youths incarcerated in juvenile prisons for lengthy durations together with other penalties. This source also proposes provision of employment opportunities to keep youths busy and engaged. I fully support provision of employment opportunities to the many unemployed youths. This will ensure youths are financially stable hence become discouraged to engage in violent crimes.
Cook, Philip J, and Jens Ludwig. Gun Violence: The Real Costs. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.
This source examines the costs incurred by the society due to gun violence. Gun violence has several costs to both the society and the government. Among the costs outlined by this source is economic losses incurred by businesses as a result of gun violence. Gun violence disrupts the economic stability of a region hence making businesses to stop operating and incur huge losses. Other costs are legal costs and prison costs incurred due to the incarceration of these criminals. My proposal borrows this information on societal costs of gun violence to push for more control. More gun control ensures the prevention of legal and other societal costs.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: America’s Network against Gun Violence. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2004. Print.
This report by the US Justice Department proposes measures of preventing gun violence in neighborhoods. This source recommends the installation of surveillance cameras in neighborhoods in order to improve security by discouraging crimes. This source also recommends use of security lights and employment of security personnel. This source also encourages the screening of visitors entering these neighborhoods. These policies are crucial in preventing gun violence and I fully support them. There should be emergency exits and alarm alerts in households in addition to the measures proposed by this source.
Goss, Kristin A. Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010. Internet resource.
Goss examines the influence of citizens without guns in the current debate on gun control. Goss establishes that gun owners currently dominate gun control debates. Opponents of gun control are mostly gun owners who are keen to keep their guns. According to Goss, these gun owners ignore the unarmed citizen’s needs opinions. Gun regulation policies should cater for every citizen’s needs without prejudice. Goss assertions are true. The unarmed citizens are missing in the push for more gun control. Policy formulation should focus on every citizen. The unarmed citizens should demand for more gun control to reduce the number of gun ownership.
Torr, James D. Gun Violence. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Print.
This source like the other sources, describes gun violence rates and trends in the country. Torr analyses and identifies household with the most gun violence cases. According to this source, gun violence is prevalent in poor households. Therefore, gun control measures should mainly focus on these households. This is true as most gun violent criminals are unemployed. Gun control measures should entail social programs such as subsidizing education fess and provision of employment opportunities aimed at the poor communities in violent areas. This is in line with this source’s view of controlling gun violence.
Elliott, Delbert S. Violence in American Schools: A New Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2001. Print.
This source examines at the newest type of gun violence that occurs in American schools. Elliot analyzes the causes of gun violence currently experienced in most American schools. According to Elliot, lack of gun regulations is the major cause of this wave of violence in schools. Elliot proposes of stringent measures that bars students from accessing guns. Schools should develop security measures of preventing gun violence in schools. Students should undergo security checks before entering schools to prevent any violence against other students.
Lott, John R. More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun-Control Laws. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 2000. Print.
Lott provides a different perspective on gun control. He prefers less gun control as opposed to gun regulation. According to Lott, the more the number of guns, the less the crime rates. This is because less gun control enables citizens to easily defend themselves. Criminal gangs as a result, will find it difficult to propagate their violence. My proposal differs with this source. More gun regulation will lead to less crime as opposed to Lott’s assertion of increase in crime. The government should implement gun control laws instead of less gun regulations as proposed by Lott.
Conclusion
More gun control is necessary to reverse the current waves of gun violence in the country. The number of people losing their lives as a result of gun violence is shocking and tragic. The country cannot afford inaction in the hope that things will become better. The federal and state governments should conduct background checks on all gun sales. Banning of sale of dangerous ammunitions to the public is necessary. Schools should adopt security checks on all students before entering schools. Provision of social programs is important in order to prevent poor youths from engaging in gun violence. These measures together with others are necessary to reduce gun violence in the country.
Works cited
Carter, Gregg L. Guns in American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics, Culture, and the Law. Santa Barbara, Ca: ABC-CLIO, 2012. Print.
Cefrey, Holly. Gun Violence. New York: Rosen Pub, 2009. Print.
Cook, Philip J, and Jens Ludwig. Gun Violence: The Real Costs. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. Print.
DeConde, Alexander. Gun Violence in America: The Struggle for Control. Boston, Mass: Northeastern Univ. Press, 2003. Print.
Elliott, Delbert S. Violence in American Schools: A New Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2001. Print.
Goss, Kristin A. Disarmed: The Missing Movement for Gun Control in America. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2010. Internet resource.
Kleck, Gary. Point Blank: Guns and Violence in America. New Brunswick, N.J: Aldine Transactions, 2005. Print.
Lott, John R. More Guns, Less Crime: Understanding Crime and Gun-Control Laws. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press, 2000. Print.
Ludwig, Jens, and Philip J. Cook. Evaluating Gun Policy: Effects on Crime and Violence. Washington, D.C: Brookings Institution Press, 2003. Print.
Project Safe Neighborhoods: America’s Network against Gun Violence. Washington, DC: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 2004. Print.
Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2013. Print.
Reducing Gun Violence: Community Problem Solving in Atlanta. Washington, DC: United States. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, 2006. Print.
Reducing Youth Gun Violence: An Overview of Programs and Initiatives: Program Report. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 1996. Print.
Torr, James D. Gun Violence. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Print.
Wright, James D, Peter H. Rossi, Kathleen Daly, and Eleanor Weber. Under the Gun: Weapons, Crime, and Violence in America. New Brunswick, N.J. (U.S.A.: Aldine Transaction, 2006. Print.
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