Short Analysis of Gun Control Policies Applied to Rational and Group Theory Models In 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School was victim of a terrible mass shooting that prompted several states and cities to pass strict gun control measures. This sparked a widely debated and controversial issue for “gun friendly” states in the South and West, who responded with bills that would strengthen Stand Your Ground laws and allow weapons in most public places. The nation continues to be divided on gun control policies, as it is very controversial and continues to be a very hot topic in society today. There has been a rise in gun violence throughout the years, and it has been widely been debated that guns are too easily accessible and there is a continued push for stricter gun laws that can reduce the risk of gun violence. This paper will focus on the implementation of two models of public policy; Group Model and Rational Model. Group Theory begins with, “the proposition that interaction among groups is the central fact of politics. Group Theory is “when individuals with common interests band together formally or informally to press their demands upon government, a shared –attitude group that makes certain claims upon other groups in society” (Dye, p. 26). Additionally, this paper will apply the rational model to gun control policies. Rational policy, as defined by Dye, is a policy that gives the majority of society what they want. It has emphasis on achieving maximum social gain (Dye, p.30)
Group Theory Model The group theory model, as defined by Dye, reflects that “there is power in numbers and that the influence of a group can be determined by numbers, wealth, organizational strength, access to decision makers and internal cohesion” (Dye, p.27). As the federal government moves to make strict gun control laws and policies one extremely influential group has had overwhelming success in slowing the process of these policies. That powerful group is known as the National Rifle Association, a group founded in 1871 that has a focus on promoting and encouraging rifle shooting. The NRA, already a large mass of like-minded people, has been influencing policy makers for decades via sending letters and eventually developing a
The exact number of gun owners in America is unknown. There are approximately 44 million firearms owners in the US, according to a National Institute of Justice survey conducted in 1994. Looking at firearm production data from 2010, various gun manufactures state the figure is as high as 300 million people. (Agresti and Smith, justfacts.com, 02/12/12). Regardless of the precise number of guns in America they are an everyday reality. For the gun enthusiast there are a number of activities which in some families, have taken on an almost religious reverence. Hunting is engaged in by 23 to 43.7 million Americans, according to a national survey in 2001, conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Generations of families , fathers , grandfathers and sons have enjoyed the great outdoors, refining and taking pleasure in hunting.Target shooting, collecting and self protection constitutes the remainder of “legal gun owners in the U.S. Groups such as the National Rifle Association are the most outspoken and self proclaimed defender of gun owner’s rights. In 2011 the N.R.A. joined a lawsuit to continue its primary role in America. In a court update Chris Cox writes (2011), “The NRA fights to enforce--and extend--gun owners' rights.” Cox’s writing on this case illustrates the divide between state and federal government restrictions, and
The high rates of gun violence and accidents in the United States have long aroused public concern, in view of the strong correlation between gun prevalence, many people believe that the United States must adopt stricter gun control measures to reduce the huge number of firearms across the nation. These people are known as gun control proponents, or advocates. However, many other people do not think so. In their eyes, the serious firearm problems do not result from gun prevalence, and many people would say it is not gun’s problem, people are pushing our
Laws regulating the use of guns in America have been a hot topic for years. Media coverage of mass shootings, acts of terrorism in and outside of the United States, and stories of families being murdered in the night has resulted in a desensitized, or perhaps, overly sensitized nation. People are scared and have centered their idea of safety on one of two main approaches: creating stricter gun laws so less crime occurs, or taking away gun restrictions so everyone can protect themselves against crime. Policies stemming from these vantage points begin by the agenda set by pertinent support and opposition groups, reflecting these approaches.
Thinking about taking your child to their first week of elementary school may seem like an easy thing to conceptualize about right? Pack lunch, prepare snack, make sure they have enough energy, and giving them a proper breakfast. These thoughts may be logical prior to the events of December,14, 2012 shooting of 20 children at an elementary school in Newton Connecticut, which left every parents heart in the country broken in fear of their own child's safety. In this essay I will go over interest groups and their role in being apart of the iron triangle of Gun rights in America. In addition, I shall explain the most powerful model of interest group influence, describe each of the important actors in the frame, and close with my reasoning of
This paper discusses and is centered around the on-going debate over gun control, I directly address how each major political party views this subject and what I believe the United States Government should do to be able to best combat this tremendous issue. I use research from multiple sources that contrast each side of the argument and give an overall insight into the world of modernized gun control.
Of the many interest groups that have a viable, unwavering presence in both the campaign and election process and in the hands of its taxpaying voters is the National Rifle Association (NRA). The nonprofit organization has a staunch and straightforward message: to advocate and protect the second amendment. As of late, the NRA has received criticism by some candidate who is running for presidency, and even the President himself, but this has not changed the purpose or image of the organization through the eyes of the American people. Other candidates can see this, and they are in full fledge of their support for the NRA, which is not only cohesive but reciprocal, and has been one of the standing points for these candidates. Because of this, “Fortune” magazine has recognized NRA as the most powerful lobbying force in the United States. The National Rifle Association is an effective interest group because of its strong advocacy for gun rights, its strong support from taxpayers and politicians, and its notable presence in policy making and legislation.
Over the last years gun control has become a very widely debated topic. The city, county and state lawmakers seem to be having different stands about the public having easy access to guns. Adam Small states, “After centuries of relative obscurity, the Second Amendment has become the center of an intense academic and legal battle during the last twenty years” (1213). The supporters of gun control and its opponents both claim to have the best interest of this country’s citizens .However, there are private citizens who believe that there should be laws to limit the number of people who own a gun. Even though the United States has enacted laws for regulating firearms, the recent shootings at Aurora movie theatre and Sandy
In this article, Greenhaven Press, is an American publishing company which mainly publishes books on social issues, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning, explains how an improvement of stronger gun control law will save lives. Green haven Press, faults that some gun-control laws are usually board and leaves room for loopholes. Greenhaven Press, developed their thesis by citing statistical facts, the District of Columbia v. Heller case, and quotes from the Second Amendment and the Brandy Act to show how gun-control laws came about and developed flaws through-out time. Greenhaven press’s research shows that the production of the black market of guns would never die out and the only way to keep structure within the American society is to make stronger
Gun control has become an increasingly controversial topic in the nation due to the continuous debates relating to gun control and whether or not laws should be passed to make it harder for guns to be obtained. Guns serve for a variety of purposes that range from good to bad. Guns are not for everyone. Some individuals cannot handle guns properly, and some choose to use guns inappropriately. Lately, guns have become more of a problem in our society. There has been an increasing amount of shootings that have taken many lives and have wounded people emotionally, not just physically. Although guns are used for protection, firearms are reportedly used more in crimes. More and more shootings are breaking out across the nation. As a result, the
The continuing Mass Shootings in the United States has caused the gun control debate to intensify. While anti-gun control advocates say the Second Amendment guarantees each individual the right to bear arms, the pro-gun control group reads the Second Amendment as a collective right to bear arms; meaning organized militia are the only ones with that right. This essay will analyse the effectiveness of several different articles which present arguments for and against gun control.
The term “gun control” deals with the regulation of the selling, purchasing, and using of firearms in America. The availability of firearms to the public has been causing serious debates around the country because of the diversity in the people’s cultures, judgment, and religions. Many people thought the provision set by the Second Amendment when it was ratified can perfectly be applied in the society today. However, the understanding of people about the Second Amendment and how they interpret it change over time. They cannot agree with each other about the meaning of the historical evidence (Karlan, 2013). Research and polls found that people in the rural areas tend to support the right of gun owners while those in urban areas encourage gun control. Due
Gun control is broken down and analyzed. The topic is generally discussed, talking about the concept of gun control laws and differences in these laws by state. The argument in favor of the topic is assessed from multiple different angles, and facts and sources are used to explain the general opinion of those that support gun control. Next, the other side is considered, with persuasive evidence and logic to prove the viewpoint that gun control is negative and harmful to the country. Aspects of the debate, such as conceal-carry permits and gun-free zones are discussed, and examples of crime stopped by citizens that possess a firearm are used to reinforce the main idea. Lastly, the article ends by considering other actions that could be
US gun control: What is the NRA and why is it so powerful? (2016, January 08). Retrieved May
Gun control has a history dating back to 1791, when the Second Amendment of the Constitution was ratified. However, more recently, the debate over gun control has escalated into a much more public issue to which many citizens can relate. After all, stories about incidents involving guns appear frequently today in newspapers and on television or the radio. One could say that the debate started with the passage of the Gun Control Act of 1968, which banned ownership of guns by certain groups of people and regulated the sale of guns. Since then, two main groups have gradually appeared: people who oppose strict federal
There are new proposed gun control laws in the aftermath of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newton, Connecticut that occurred on December 14th, 2012. This incident claimed the lives of twenty 1st graders and six adults and has set the government in motion to try to prevent future acts of violence by strengthening gun control laws in the United States (Smith). This has been a topic that has been an extremely emotional debate with people on both sides unwilling to compromise. Gun advocates and critics of the new proposed gun laws argue that these new laws infringe on our constitutional