The Problem of Gun Violence - Research Paper Example

? Gun Violence Introduction/Problem ment America is believed to be the most civilized nation in this world. Because of the rapid development of democracy, people in America are enjoying all kinds of human rights and liberties in their social life. American society is highly liberal in nature. Modern life styles such as same sex marriage, abortion, mercy killing, lesbianism, Gaysim etc are getting popularity in America now. Even drug use or marijuana use is getting legal protection in many American states now. Along with these, another major liberty or freedom, enjoyed by American people is the legal protection for the possession of guns. Ownership of gun is restricted in most of the other countries including democratic countries. For example, an individual can own a gun India only if the court or the police authorities grand him the permission of gun license. He should convince the authorities that his life and property is in danger and ownership of gun is necessary for him to protect his life and properties. However in America, it is not necessary that an individual should convince the authorities about the reasons of gun ownership. Anybody, even school children in America can own a gun, legally or illegally. As a result of that, gun related violence is growing in America at present. The Sun (March 12, 2013), reported that a GUNMAN has shot two people at a high school in California - less than a month after 26 were slaughtered in the Sandy Hook massacre. It follows last month's slaughter by Adam Lanza who killed 20 young children and six adults at the Sandy Hook elementary school - reigniting the gun laws debate in the US (Two shot in yet another school shooting in America, 2010). Sandy Hook massacre shook America recently and the public debates over the topic of gun control heated up again. The relationship between gun ownership and gun violence is researched heavily by prominent scholars now. Many people believe that gun violence is directly proportional to gun ownership. In other words, when the number of gun owners increases in a society, the chances of gun violence also increases. This paper critically analyses this claim and argues that "The states (in the U.S.) with the highest gun ownership also have the highest gun violence related casualties". Literature Review A new study, led by a Boston University School of Public Health researcher, Dr. Michael Siegel, published in American Journal of Public Health shows that U.S. states with higher estimated rates of gun ownership experience a higher number of firearms-related homicides. This study analyzed the claim by the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) that increased gun ownership does not lead to increased gun violence and argued that these claims are totally baseless. They have conducted this study across 50 American states and the completion of this study (The largest in the history of US) took around 30 years (1981-2010). They found that for each 1 percentage point increase in the prevalence of gun ownership, the homicide rate increases by 0.9 percent (Siegel, 2013). The study by Hepburn & Hemenway, (2004, p.4170) supports the findings of Siegel and his associates. After a comprehensive study, they found that gun availability is a risk factor for homicide, both in the United States and across high-income countries.  They argued that in homes, cities, states and regions in the US, where there are more guns, people are at higher risk for homicide. The second amendments in United States’ constitution protect the right of individuals to bear arms. Self-defense is accepted as a human right in America. Even after plenty of unpleasant and cruel incidents, the authorities are not much keen in putting any control on gun ownership or gun violence. Even the immature teenagers can possess guns and they can carry such things easily to the schools. Even though president Obama expressed deep concerns about the gun control laws in America, after the Sandy Hook massacre, his earlier stands were neither in favor nor against the strengthening of gun control laws in America. According to Obama, “the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but he also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures” (O’connor, 2011). Gun control is more of a political issue rather than a social issue in America. Politicians would try to catch fish if the government tries to impose ban on possession of gun. It should be noted that America is a country in which human rights are valued very much. Any attempts made by the government to restrict gun possession may evoke immense public protests. As a result of that politicians are not brave enough to revise the gun control laws. According to Sen. John McCain “residents across America should be able to exercise their constitutional right to have access to firearms to protect themselves"(Marimmow, 2010). In short, neither Democrats, nor Republicans are keen in revising the existing gun control laws. As a result of that, gun ownership in America is kept on growing despite of the increasing gun violence incidents. Hemenway & Miller (2000, p.985) analyzed the relationship between homicide and gun availability using data from 26 developed countries and found that across developed countries, where guns are more available, there are more homicides. In other words, gun ownership increase is the major reason behind gun violence not only in America, but also in other parts of the world as well. It should be noted that people purchase guns only if they are brave enough to use it. In others words, it is logical to assume that those who purchase guns would definitely have inherited traits of violence. Peace loving people normally stays away from purchasing a gun. When gun owners get opportunity, they will use their guns for justifiable and unjustifiable reasons. There are plenty of cases in which gun owners usually threaten others deliberately. They want to dominate others. The thirst for domination is inherent in all humans. As a result of that the possibility of using guns for defeating or dominating others cannot be ruled out. Miller et al. (2002, p.1988) also supported the assumption that increase in gun ownership may increase the gun violence. They have conducted a study across 50 states over a ten year period (1988-1997) to analyze the relationship between firearm availability and homicide. They concluded that people in states with many guns have elevated rates of homicide, particularly firearm homicide. Miller et al. (2007, p.656) also supported the ideas of Hemenway & Miller and Miller et al. (2002). In their opinion, states with higher levels of household gun ownership had higher rates of firearm homicide and overall homicide.  They pointed out that aggravated assault, robbery, unemployment, urbanization, alcohol consumption, and resource deprivation (e.g., poverty) as some of the major motivating factors for gun violence. Another interesting finding of their study is that both males and females and all age groups, are equally motivated to conduct violent activities when they possess guns. According to Collier (2013, p.81), gun violence in America is inevitable as long as Americans accept the idea of a largely unlimited right to own guns. However, some scholars are not backing the opinion expressed by Collier and other researchers completely. For example, Tamny (2013, p.6) pointed out that gun ownership does not automatically correlate with violence. According to Kleck and Kates (2001, p.17) “Liberal allowances of concealed handgun carry by thirty one states have coincided with a reduction of thousands of murders, rapes and other violent crimes in those states”. In short, Collier, Kleck and Kates are not backing the idea of gun control as a measure to avoid gun violence. Research Design Research Philosophy Positivism and naturalism are two of the prominent research philosophies in academic researches. In this research, naturalistic research philosophy is used quite often even though positivist research philosophy is used occasionally. “Naturalistic researchers assume that reality constantly changes and can be known only indirectly, through the interpretations of people; they accept the possibility that there are multiple versions of reality” (Research philosophy And qualitative Interviews, n.d., p.14). Since the attitude of people towards gun control or gun ownership is changing day by day, it would be logical to use naturalistic research philosophy predominantly in this research. At the same time, positivist research philosophy makes use of quantitative tools. Statistics related to the gun violence in the past and present are necessary in this research. Therefore, it is difficult to reject positivist research philosophy completely in this research. Data collection methods Only secondary research methods are used in this research to collect data. Secondary research or desk research makes use of information previously researched for other purposes and publicly available. Secondary research includes published research reports in a library, surveys or the Internet. It can also include scientific reports produced by medical councils, universities or government (The Times100, 2013). Books, journals, newspapers and websites are the major sources of data used for this research. As part of secondary research, both qualitative and quantitative data are collected from articles published by previous researchers. In other words, mixed research method is used for the data collection purpose. According to Saunders, (2007, p.102), “mixed research method is a research method in which both quantitative as well as qualitative research technique is employed. Qualitative data is normally descriptive in nature whereas as quantitative data are objective in nature. Quantitative data are necessary to substantiate the arguments. In fact it ensures the quality, reliability, validity and credibility of the research. It is difficult to analyze different dimensions of gun control, gun ownership and gun violence without quantitative data. In short, qualitative and quantitative data are necessary for a researcher to go deeply into the problem and to come out with proper answers. Data analysis Deduction and induction methods are used in this research for the data analysis purpose. Deduction is finding ways to support an argument whereas induction is finding an argument to explain data. Abduction is supplying a warrant that enables us to move from data to argument (Deduction, Induction and Abduction in Academic Writing, 2011). Deduction methods work along the following principle; If X => Y, and Y => Z, then X => Z. In other words, deduction always gives 100% right answers. “Deduction is the best in practice: outline an argument based on what you already know about the topic, then research to fill in the gaps (active reading). This mode cuts down the amount of reading you have to do — and allows your voice to remain strongest in your writing” (Deduction, Induction and Abduction in Academic Writing, 2011) On the other hand induction works on the following principle; If X => Y, and X => Z, then Y => Z. In other words, the chances of probabilities are used induction methods. Both deduction and induction methods of data analysis would help the researcher to identify the gap in literature and also in developing new hypothesizes. Limitations Lack of primary data is the major limitation of this research. “Primary research is new research, carried out to answer specific issues or questions. It can involve questionnaires, surveys or interviews with individuals or small groups” (The Times100, 2013). It should be noted that Primary research helps the researcher to get current data whereas secondary research helps the researcher to get data from the past. In order to make meaningful conclusions, both primary and secondary data are necessary. Ethics Plagiarism is one of the major ethical problem arises in academic researches. It may occur both knowingly and unknowingly. It is quite possible that the researcher may use the ideas of others unknowingly in a paper. He might have received those ideas from books or internet. It is not necessary that he may recollect the name of the author or the source while using it in a research paper. Thus, plagiarism may occur in a research like this unknowingly. However, deliberate attempts are made to avoid such things as much as possible. All the information collected from external sources is cited in APA format in this paper to avoid plagiarism issue. Conclusions Even though some researchers are not in favor of gun control laws, majority of the researchers support the idea of gun control as a measure to prevent gun violence. Majority of the researches in the past were successful in proving the direct relationships between gun ownership and gun violence. In other words it is established that gun violence increases as the number of gun owners increases. However, some researchers found that gun ownership help people to stay away from criminal activities. In their opinion, criminals would not dare to attack a person if he possesses a gun. In my opinion, instead of controlling gun ownership, the government should give more attention to teach morals and ethics in American schools as a measure to avoid gun violence. It should be noted that gun is only a weapon for the criminals. They can use plenty of other weapons, if they wanted to attack others. Therefore, the core problem which has to be addressed is the growing unethical behaviors in the society. Ethics and morals were taught in American schools in the past. At present, such things are taught only in religious schools or community schools. Majority of the American children are studying in private and public schools at present. Private and public schools are interested only in profit making. They do not want to teach morals and ethics to the upcoming generation. In short, American educational system needs a complete restructuring as part of the efforts to reduce gun violence in America. References Collier, C.W. (2013). Gun Control in America: An Autopsy Report. Dissent (00123846). Summer2013, Vol. 60 Issue 3, p81-86. Deduction, Induction and Abduction in Academic Writing, (2011). Retrieved from http://seansturm.wordpress.com/2011/05/23/deduction-induction-and-abduction/ Hepburn, L & Hemenway, D. (2004). Firearm availability and homicide: A review of the literature. Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal. 2004; 9:417-40. Hemenway, D & Miller, M (2000). Firearm availability and homicide rates across 26 high income countries. Journal of Trauma. 2000; 49:985-88. Kleck, Gary and Kates, Don B. (2001). Armed: New Perspectives in Gun Control. Publisher: Prometheus Books (November 2001). Marimow, A. E. (2010). Bills Take New Aim at D.C. Gun Control. Washington Post. 28 Apr. 2010. Miller, M., Azrael, D. and Hemenway, D (2002). Household firearm ownership levels and homicide rates across U.S. regions and states, 1988-1997. American Journal of Public Health. 2002: 92:1988-1993. Miller, M., Azrael, D and Hemenway, D. (2007). State-level homicide victimization rates in the U.S. in relation to survey measures of household firearm ownership, 2001-2003. Social Science and Medicine. 2007; 64:656-64 O’connor, A. (2011). Gun-Control Supporters Show Outrage. The New York Times News. 03 July 2011. Research philosophy And qualitative Interviews, (N.d.) Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.in/upm-data/43179_2.pdf Siegel, M. (2013). New Research Shows Link Between Rates of Gun Ownership and Homicides. Retrieved from http://www.bu.edu/news/2013/09/13/new-research-shows-link-between-rates-of-gun-ownership-and-homicides/ Saunders, M. (2007). Research Methods for Business Students, 5th ed, Financial Times Prentice Hall, pp. 298 Tamny, J. (2013). Thoughts On Guns and Gun Control From Someone Who Doesn't Own One. Forbes.com. 1/20/2013, p6-6 Two Shot In Yet Another School Shooting In America. (2013). The Sun. March 12, 2013. The Times100 (2013). Primary and secondary research. 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