Abstract This paper employs a contextual analysis to develop policy recommendations for reducing youth gunviolence. The analytic framework used in the paper addresses the dimensions of history, law, economics, sociocultural influences and political processes. The paper offers several policy recommendations, including intervention and prevention, particularly in regard to at-risk children and youth.
From the Paper "This research project employed a contextual analysis method to examine the question of how public policy on youth gun violence can be shaped. The analytic framework addressed the dimensions of history, law, economics, sociocultural influences and political..."
Tags: Contextual analysis, youth, gunviolence, juvenile delinquency, gun control
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that gunviolence in Toronto seems to have grown as a matter of public concern in recent years in response to a number of highly publicized incidents of gunviolence. One of the most commonly proposed solutions to this problem is stricter gun laws. However, the writer points out that many have argued that stricter gun laws in isolation could not remedy this problem. This essay examines this issue with reference to the source of the weapons, systemic racism and class and social factors that contribute to Toronto's gun problem. The thesis is argued that stricter gun control laws/policies will not reduce gunviolence in Toronto unless the above three factors are also addressed. Beginning with a description of the nature of the problem itself, this paper shows how there needs to be a multi-pronged effort at federal, provincial and municipal levels to address the underlying root causes that fuel gunviolence in Toronto.
Outline:
Introduction
GunViolence in Toronto - The Myth and the Reality
The Sources of Guns in Toronto GunViolence and Systemic Racism in Toronto Social and Class Support
Conclusion
From the Paper "In dealing with the question of gun violence in Toronto it is first necessary to define the parameters of the problem. To do this we must attempt to distinguish between the myths and the reality of gun violence in Toronto.
"The current concern with gun violence in Toronto stems from 2005 when 58 people were slain by firearms in Toronto, out of a total of 84 murders in the city that year. The concern with the violent use of firearms stems not only from the perception - as these numbers would suggest - that guns are increasingly used in acts of violence in Toronto, but that the profile of gun violence has also changed. The media designated the summer of 2005 as Toronto's "Summer of the Gun" and the year concluded with a Boxing Day gun fight between rival gangs near the crowded Yonge and Dundas intersection that killed 19 year old female bystander, and injured six others."
Abstract This paper describes what is happening in regard to the issue of gunviolence in Toronto and its sociological ramifications. It shows that the problem is a domestic problem and is indicative of underlying social problems in Toronto that need to be addressed. Finally, the paper briefly discusses ways that the sociological issues resulting in gunviolence can be addressed.
From the Paper "Clearly, what is needed is to look at the sociological, systemic factors that are un-knitting the social fabric of Toronto, and start to fix things. This will be much more constructive than simply blaming the USA! A first step would be to increase public expenditure on the poor, raise welfare, and spend much more on affordable housing. And at root, perhaps it is time to honestly acknowledge that globalization, free trade and neoliberalism are not panaceas that will solve all social problems - indeed, they may in fact cause some terrible problems, including tragedies such as innocent young Torontonians being shot dead in broad daylight."
Tags: drive-by, shooting, poverty, welfare, control
Abstract This paper discusses the more recent incidents of violence led to by loose gun control laws, such as school shootings. It discusses the problems with the current situation and deals with the holes in the laws which allow dangerous people to purchase guns. It suggests possible ways to fix the problem.
From the Paper "America is considered to be the greatest nation in the world. Despite such prosperity, America still faces many problems, one of the biggest being gun control. Despite many rules regulation gun sales, guns can be easily attained by anyone who wants. Unfortunately, the government can?t outlaw people from keeping guns in their homes because of the 2nd Amendment which gives citizens of the United States the right to bear arms. The government has been attempting to control gun violence, but to no avail."
Abstract This paper studies Michael Moore's award winning docudrama "Bowling for Columbine" (2002), which provided an eye-opening look at the social problem of violence in the United States, particularly violence with guns. The film focused on events leading up to the Columbine High School shootings. The paper demonstrates how, from a sociological perspective, Moore effectively showed that both social institutions (e.g., the community, the school) and social relationships (e.g., within the community, between students) played a role in the Columbine tragedy. The paper also lauds Moore for effectively presenting the causes and consequences of this recurring social problem (i.e. gunviolence) in an effective manner.
From the Paper "One portion of the film that I found extremely revealing was when Michael Moore went up to Canada with his film crew for this movie, and interviewed people up there, who seemed less afraid, and said they were less afraid, than Americans he had interviewed for the film earlier. These two sets of interviews illustrated the point, very convincingly, that America has far more general fear bred into its culture, in terms of anxieties people feel just living life, than does Canada. For that reason, Moore implies, many Americans feel they need guns simply to protect themselves against the frightening elements "out there", a feeling that then feeds on itself, with more fear and more gun ownership. In contrast, Canadians who were interviewed for the film do not even lock their front doors, and most do not own guns or feel any need to own guns. Moore convincingly explored, also, how the mythology of the Wild West (e.g., Western movies starring actors like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood) are so much a part of the American identity that Americans actually also identify with guns and gun ownership as if it were needed in order to feel safe."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts two political interest groups on the opposite side of the issue of gun control: The National Rifle Association (NRA) and the Brady campaign to prevent gunviolence. It also looks at how each group receives contributions.
From the Paper " This paper compares the lobbying efforts of two political interest groups on the opposite side of the gun control issue in the United States. The National Rifle ..."
Abstract This paper examines how, traditionally, people have looked for cues about how they should behave in their social environment from peers, family, school and church, and how, increasingly, these social cues regarding acceptable behavior have come from the media. It looks at how incidents such as the Columbine High School shootings were inspired by movies and the television. It discusses how television has a tremendous opportunity to instill good values and principles in today's youth, but because of the amount of violence shown, it instead inspires violent behavior in children and adolescents in a variety of ways, as well as a certain long-term desensitization towards violence.
From the Paper "By inflating the prevalence of violence, television contributes to increased perceptions of the world as a dangerous place (Center for Communication and Social Policy 28). This increases the motivation of a child or teen to carry a weapon. Among urban youths, studies have shown that interpersonal violence is the greatest cause of death and injury. Gun violence has replaced accidents as the leading killer of children and adolescents each year. Although violence on television is not the only factor in these deaths, pediatricians have recognized exposure to media violence as a significant risk for their constituents (Hogan et al)."
Tags: desensitization, gun, violence, columbine, movies
Abstract The paper examines handgun regulations within the US and Canada and their relationship with incidents of violence and explores the influence of the National Rifle Association (NRA), its message and methods, both nationally and internationally,. The paper deals with issues related to international trade of small arms and light weapons (SALW), the economic toll on developing nations in responding to gunviolence, and the role of the US government in supporting international anti-violence initiatives designed to control SALW. Lastly, the paper identifies potential remedies to existing risks of violence that correlate with handgun use.
Outline:
United States Gun Law Structure
National Rifle Association
Transitions from Licit Handguns to Illicit Weapons within the US
US Violence Canadian Gun Laws and Related Violence International Controls
International Gun-Related Violence Remedies
Conclusion
From the Paper "The United States emphasizes and protects the Second Amendment to the US Constitution which guarantees the rights of citizens to bear arms, meaning to own, store, carry, and use a concealed weapon. Prohibiting a gun purchase is much more difficult than granting one. Federal Firearm License Dealers (FFLs) are not required to ask purchasers the purpose for buying a gun and only deny purchasers who meet very specific disqualifying conditions. They are, however, required to complete a background check, the specifics of the check are determined by state regulations. Federal laws in the US require purchasers to be at least 21 years old and a resident of the state from where the gun is potentially purchased. The exceptions to gaining a firearm include past convictions for felonious acts, outstanding warrants, past committals to a psychiatric facility or a clinical diagnosis equivalent of being mentally defective, convictions or restraining orders related to domestic violence, dishonorable military discharge, or illegal alien status."
Abstract This paper makes the argument that the time has come for the US legislature to do away with anachronistic laws that support a dubious "gun culture", which is an aberration in a modern, developed society, and that the ability to bear arms should be a privilege instead of a right in the 21st century. The paper begins by tracing the origins of the "gun culture" in America and then presents the history and interpretation of the Second Amendment, which supposedly gives the right of bearing arms to the citizens. Next, the paper reviews both sides of the argument for and against gun control, and then presents arguments in favor of making laws that would make the bearing of arms in the 21st century a privilege instead of a right.
Outline:
Origins of the American "Gun Culture"
The Second Amendment, its Background and Interpretation
Supreme Court's Interpretation of the Second Amendment
Does the Proliferation of Guns Promote Crime and Violence?
The Economic Cost of GunViolence Public Opinion about Gun Control
Reasons Why More Stringent Gun-Control Measures are Still not in Place?
Conclusion
From the Paper "The Articles of Confederation, drafted and formulated during the Revolution, was America's first Constitution. The document, too, reflected the authors' suspicion of standing armies and a strong central government. The Articles severely restricted the powers of the Congress and gave maximum autonomy to the States. The responsibility of national defense was placed on the State militias instead of a national army and the Congress could not exercise any military powers unless 9 of the 13 States consented. Article VI specifically stated: "every state shall always keep up a well regulated and disciplined militia, sufficiently armed and accoutred." Before long, however, the founding fathers realized that the Articles were unworkable for running of an effective government because of the extremely limited powers granted to the central government. The fighting abilities of a volunteer militia as compared to a disciplined, professional army had already been exposed during the Revolution, and even George Washington had expressed his reservations about their effectiveness in private despite his public pronouncements in support of the citizen militia . "
Abstract This paper examines A. Blumstein's article, "Youth, Guns, and Violent Crime", and relates that this article addresses the particular vulnerability and over-representation of youth in crimes involving violence. The paper discusses Blumstein's correlation between youth involved violent crime trends during the 1980s and 1990s, and trends in gun access and drug marketing peaks during these years. Also discussed are the three factors Blumstein sees as the reason for the eventual decline in youth violence since 2000. In addition, the paper looks at the belief held by many criminologists that early exposure to guns and other forms of violence produces violent criminal behaviour throughout life. Lastly, the paper notes that a consistent theme applied in intercepting urban violence is to fortify both the justice system and social development programs.
From the Paper "Blumstein (2002) explains the decisions to engage in violence in terms of the form and level of previous exposure an individual has to surrounding violent conditions. He discusses the particular vulnerability and over-representation of youth in crimes involving violence, and attributes current trends of violent crimes to drug addiction, drug market involvement, and increased access and utilization of lethal weapons. He further challenges the concept of "superpredators", a presumed breed of ruthless youth, destined for reckless, violent lifestyles. This breed of predators is argued to be helplessly predisposed to violent acts without hope of intervention (Blumstein, 2002)."
Abstract This paper documents Ruth Rosen's belief that guns, instead of securing women's safety, create an atmosphere of violence and fear. It discusses her crusade through her book to persuade her readers that gun control is a women's issue and women should be more concerned about curbing gunviolence in their communities.
From the Paper "Ruth Rosen has no formal authority on the issue of gun control. What does, however, make her an "expert" for the purposes of her essay is her connection with Betty Friedan, the first president of the National Organization for Women. That she was invited by Friedan to the conference addressing gun violence specifically as a women's issue, the audience imagines Rosen to be a close associate of the esteemed Friedan."
Abstract This paper posits that despite the arguments that gun control activists frequently cite as reasons to limit this constitutional right, American citizens must begin to inform themselves and realize that clear and convincing evidence concludes that gun control is not effective in reducing or deterring gun-related crimes. The paper follows the "guns don't kill people, people kill people" slogan and explains that in place of gun control laws, education against violence is more important.
From the Paper "The second amendment of the constitution of the United States is in trouble. Although it is often cited as an obvious answer to the constitutional-protection question, it is often referred to simply as the "right to bear arms." However, the full text reads, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed;" therefore, the general populace must increase its awareness that this is clearly an individual right and stop arguing for gun control laws."
Abstract This paper surveys arguments made in favor of and against gun control in the United States. It discusses the second amendment argument made by gun rights advocates. The author also explores the impact of gun control laws on violence.
From the Paper "The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that a well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Today many people argue that ..."
Abstract This paper begins by defining and explaining the problem of violence in high schools - ranging from petty bullying to gun battles leaving students dead. Some causes of the increase in violence are discussed such as violent TV shows, social pressure and the easy availability of guns. Social consequences of high school and gang violence is addressed and some solution are suggested. These suggestions include student tasks forces, workshops and a zero-tolerance attitude towards violent incidences by the school authorities.
From the Paper "The more publicly visible and horrifying acts of violence in American high schools, and junior high schools, this past year have just been the tip of the iceberg. Violence in American schools has increased dramatically - often associated with youth gang activity. In looking at some recent figures for the school year 1996-1997, there were 4,000 cases of rape and sexual assault reported. There were also over 11,000 cases of physical assault reported, including assaults with weapons. This seems to be correlated, to some extent, with an increase in youth gang violence which has more than doubled during the past two decades (Owens, 1999)."
Abstract This paper looks at the causes and reasons behind armed conflict in the streets of our cities, making reference to several examples of armed violence. The writer contends that gun-control is not the answer to the nation's ills. The writer suggests that stricter gun control laws are the result of unsubstantiated fears, promulgated by the mass media. Finally this paper suggests that guns are the scapegoat for all human ills.
From the Paper "We do not have all of the answers to suicide, murder, and teen violence, but it is clear from the statistical proof that gun control is not the answer. We need to look at the reasons why people are compelled to do these things. Before the invent of gunpowder, there was still suicide, murder and teen violence. Perhaps the answers to these dilemmas lie somewhere deeper inside us. Perhaps the answer lies in our ability to love one another, instead of blaming guns for the hatred within."
