Abstract
Clearly, the issue of death by firearms and proposals for actions to reduce the frequency of such deaths is an important social issue to all members of American society. The writer looks at the proposals in the United States for actions to reduce accidental deaths by and adolescent use of firearms.

From the Paper
"Most observers agree that access to handguns should be severely restricted for adolescents. Proposals to effects such restricted access, however, invariably involve regulation on the access to, security of, and use of handguns that affects adults in American society as well as adolescents. Most jurisdictions in the United States already have in place regulations designed to preclude the purchase of handguns or the unsupervised use of hand guns by adolescents. These regulations, however, obviously are ineffective as means of controlling the access to handguns by adolescents. Therefore, most proposals to correct this social problem involve the imposition of additional controls on the acquisition, security, and use of handguns by adults as a means of providing a more effective means of controlling adolescent access to handguns. It is at this point that such proposals run headlong into the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and the powerful gun lobby in the United States."

Tags:firearms, lobby, politics, adolescent, Brady

Abstract
This paper reviews the article written by Mauri J. Marttunen, Markus M. Henriksson, Erkki T. Isometsa, Martti E. Heikkinen, Hellivi M. Aro and Jouko K. Lonnqvist, "Completed Suicide among Adolescents with No Diagnosable Psychiatric Disorder". The paper summarizes the study chronicled in the article which compared the characteristics of adolescent Finnish males with and without diagnosed psychiatric disorders who committed suicide over the course of a single year's duration. The paper also discusses the results of the study and critiques the article as weak and poorly constructed.

From the Paper
"The stated purpose of the study was sought to determine whether adolescents with no diagnosable psychiatric disorder differed from those with a psychiatric disorder according to the classification of a psychiatric disorder according to the DSM-III-R axis I or II. They were compared in terms of their family background and suicidal indicators. To gather data, the researchers conducted face-to-face interviews with at least one family member in 78 (93%) of the cases with a diagnosable psychiatric disorder and 7 (88%) of the cases without such diagnosable disorders."

Tags:psychiatric disorders, adolescents firearms

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts adolescents and senior adults in terms of social and physical development. The paper aims to arrive at distinct social and physical development commonalities between the two groups. The paper's secondary objective is to adapt a convergent approach and thus compare and contrast two age groups that seem starkly different.

From the Paper
"This paper shall compare and contrast adolescents and senior adults in terms of social and physical development. It is the primary objective of this paper to arrive at distinct social and physical development commonalities between the two groups. The paper's secondary objective is to adapt a convergent approach and thus compare and contrast two age groups that are seem starkly different that the exercise, at first, seems absurd. The social challenges each group faces are mirror-images in that they mark transitions, albeit with different endpoints. While it is presumably..."

Tags:developmental, psychology, adolescence versus late a

Abstract
The paper examines typical issues faced by adolescents. Then the paper presents strategies counselors use to deal with these issues. The issues discussed include: peer pressure, substance use and abuse, family relationships, stress, sexual maturation, and school and academic issues.

From the Paper
"Burns has noted that during the course of even the most normal adolescent period of development, many young people and their families will encounter difficult spots which can be helped by a..."

Tags:adolescence, counseling

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to examine the issue of firearms on U.S. college campuses and focuses on current policies and trends and whether those policies make the campuses safer. The paper concludes that there are mixed beliefs concerning whether or not firearms make college campuses safer and looks at how Utah is the only state that has passed statewide legislation allowing firearms on the campuses of public colleges and universities. Other states such as Oklahoma, Kentucky and Ohio have attempted to pass laws allowing firearms on college campuses during the year 2008.

Outline:
Introduction
Firearms on College Campuses
Are Campuses Safer With or Without Firearms
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The question of whether or not to allow firearms on college campuses is a controversial one. Proponents of the idea believe that having firearms on campus makes students safer. They contend that shooting such as the Virginia Tech massacre would not have been so severe had another student or professor been carrying a gun. Proponents assert that in allowing concealed weapons to be carried student or faculty will be able to stop a gunman and loss of life can be avoided. Proponents also argue that even though most college campuses have police officers that carry weapons, it often takes officers many minutes to arrive at the scene of the crime. These minutes are precious and many people were killed at Virginia Tech before the police officers arrived on the scene. The time it takes between the beginning of a rampage and the arrival of armed officers to the scene is often the arguing point for people who support the carrying of firearms on college campuses. "

Tags:Utah, Virginia, Tech, massacre

Abstract
This paper argues that it a false belief that firearms are a good form of self-protection in the home and that few would debate that criminals should not have access to them. It notes that the best way to reconcile the public's demand for the right to bear and keep arms with the sad reality of the damage they cause is to educate the public and to increase legal activity that will help prevent criminals from gaining access. It also argues that there is room to enforce existing laws, close gun show loopholes, and to improve the background check procedure.

From the Paper
"Death from firearms is a large problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 30,708 persons died from firearm injuries in 1998. Of these deaths, 12.3 percent were children under 20 years of age. Despite these statistics, many Americans still feel that their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms should be preserved. This is often because citizens believe that guns protect them from crime in their own homes. Even though data from several studies suggests otherwise, Americans are still very emotional about keeping their rights to protect themselves. Few politicians seem up to the call for going against public sentiment. Therefore, the best solution involves proposals for educating the public about the presence of guns in the home and for fighting gun crime rather than an outright ban on gun ownership. "

Tags:danger, gun, law, arms, self, protection

Abstract
This paper examines how everything the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does is designed to keep the American public safe. The paper explains that ATF has always tackled the controversial issues such as alcohol and firearm control, smoking bans and explosives limitations. The paper looks at how the ATF has to balance its regulations in order to protect American citizens and businesses without infringing on rights. The paper then points out that the ATF needs to work on some areas, but in general, it is successfully serving and protecting the public.

Outline:
Thesis
AT F - A History
Duties and Regulations
Regulations - Societal or Economic
Problem Solving
By the Book
How Are They Doing
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives has been evolving since the late 1700s, when the first Congress enacted a tax on imported spirits to pay for debts incurred during the Revolutionary War. At that time, agents collected taxes through the Department of Treasury. In 1862, by Act of 1, Congress created the Office of Internal Revenue within the Treasury Department. This new office was responsible for collecting taxes on distilled spirits and tobacco products.
Congress added enforcement as a component of the ATF in 1863 when it authorized the addition of three detectives for the purpose of preventing, detecting and punishing tax evaders."

Tags:gun, control, regulations, human, rights

Abstract
The paper discusses adolescent bullying behavior and general personal and family-based psychological dysfunctions that often trigger violent acts. The paper further discusses how the sensational nature of shooting events contributes to the copycat phenomenon. The paper contends that more than other factors, the widespread availability of firearms in the United States results in more school shootings than would be possible if firearms were more difficult to acquire and more tightly regulated. The paper thus concludes that regardless of the sincerity of efforts directed at other contributory elements, failure to address gun control will handicap our ability to prevent school shootings.

Outline:
Introduction
School Bullying and Other Psychological Factors
Gun Control
Publicity and the Copycat Phenomenon
Conclusion

From the Paper
"School shootings have occurred periodically in the United States and the rest of the world ever since Charles Whitman, a University of Texas engineering student, took up his sniper position in the Bell Tower above the campus, killing 16 people and wounding another 31 before being killed by police in 1966 (USSS & UDDOE 2002). Since then, some of the most infamous incidents include the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado that took 15 lives and the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre that accounted for more deaths (33) than any other American school shooting."

Tags:adolescent, bullying, media, sensationalism, gun, control, firearms

Abstract
This paper argues that before one can fully evaluate the impact of violent children, one must identify the problem, determine the cause and apply a logical solution to the problem of deterring crime in youth. The author argues that although research has shown that various factors such as, poverty, access to firearms, media violence, and abuse can be a significant factor in violent children, there are other determinants, such as internal behavior, which can also play a pivotal role.

Outline:
The Super-Predator: Moral Poverty or Economic Poverty?
Access to Firearms
The Media Factor
Abused Children
Nature vs. Nurture
Super-Predators or Psychopathic Children
Juvenile Justice
Solutions
Findings

From the Paper
"In a counter essay to Diulios piece on "super-predators", some eleven years later for the Jackson Free Press, Brian Johnson implied that super-predators are bred in areas of low economic status, or rather, those suffering from economic poverty (2006). Furthermore, Johnson blames poverty and easy access of weapons for the high incidence of inner-city violent youth and believes economic poverty is the best predictor for violent crime in children.
"Dilulio contends that "moral poverty begets juvenile super-predators" and asserts that there are "tens of thousands of severely morally impoverished juvenile super-predators" (Dilulio, 2006, p.6). Clinical child psychologist, Jonathan Kellerman (1999), also contends that while stress associated with poverty correlates with antisocial behavior, "poverty per se did not" (1999, pg. 67)."

Tags:adolescent, juvenile violence, super predator, violent children, conduct disorders

Abstract
The writer of this informative paper details the growing number of gangs and membership to gangs which have become a public security threat that communities are now recognizing that must be addressed. This paper supplies relevant statistics and data relating to gangs and various acts of gang violence. Approximately half of all youth gang members are 18 years or older and thus more likely to become involved in serious and violent crimes than younger gang members. This paper discusses the spread of gangs across America. While gangs have been a problem in L.A. for years, and account for roughly 50% of the city's murders, gangs are now responsible for 41% of the homicides in Omaha, Nebraska. This paper details the various preventative measures and programs available to curtail this growing problem. The writer contends and explains why preventing adolescents from joining gangs seems to be the most cost-effective long-term strategy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms has implemented a school-based gang prevention program that has shown positive preliminary results. The writer of this paper stresses the need for communities to organize a collaborative approach to gang problems from the outset rather than beginning with a predominantly suppression strategy.

From the Paper
"Since 1980, the United States has witnessed a rapid proliferation of youth gangs. According to a 1998 Juvenile Justice Bulletin, there were roughly 286 gang jurisdictions with some 2,000 gangs and approximately 100,000 gang members in 1980. By 1996, there were some 4,800 jurisdictions with more than 31,000 gangs and an estimated 846,000 gang members. In an eleven-city survey of eighth graders, researchers found than nine percent were currently gang members, while seventeen percent stated they had belonged to a gang at some point in their lives. Other studies show similar percentages and also indicated that gang members were responsible for a large proportion of violent offenses."

Tags:youth, gang, community, violence, statistics