Executive Summary
This research investigated the connection between gun accessibility and gun violence in the United States, utilizing various methods including analysis of existing studies, statistics, and case studies. The study yielded several major conclusions: easy access to guns is a primary factor fueling U.S. gun violence; the effectiveness of gun control measures varies significantly based on different circumstances; public opinion has a major influence on how control policies are developed and implemented; and real-world case studies offer vital insights for policymakers and practitioners.
The study has significant implications for policy and practice, highlighting the need for a multifaceted approach to reducing gun violence in the U.S. This includes comprehensive gun control measures, changes in public attitudes, and evidence-based policies. Future research should focus on further exploring the complex relationship between gun accessibility and gun violence, evaluating the impact of new gun control policies, and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to gun violence.
Introduction
In the U.S. and Australia, gun violence is a significantly pressing issue that affects millions of people every year. Data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) (2023) indicates that over 14,000 deaths and 25,000 injuries resulted from gun violence in 2021 alone. This current research aims to study the connection between gun accessibility and gun violence crimes, specifically by analyzing how effectively gun control measures reduce both access to guns and the resulting violence (Chapman et al., 2016).
Further, the research will give an eye to the public opinion on gun control measures and demographic factors associated with gun violence crimes. Therefore, by examining and creating an understanding of the factors contributing to gun violence crimes and the effectiveness of gun control measures, practitioners and policymakers can develop strategies to reduce gun violence and create a safer environment for the public.
Theoretical Framework
Gun Ownership
In the world, America leads with the highest rates of gun ownership. Estimates from statistical data by Warner & Thrash (2019) show that over 393 million civilians own firearms in the U.S. Considering the country’s population, the above data translates to approximately 120 guns for every 100 people. However, accessibility to guns varies from one state to another, with some states having more lenient gun laws and higher rates of gun ownership. Nonetheless, the ease of gun accessibility in America has been a contentious issue, with arguments for and against stricter gun control laws.
In Australia, the issue of gun ownership has been a significant issue for the general public. For instance, Australia experienced a mass shooting in Port Arthur, Tasmania, that left more than 35 deaths. As a result, the government was forced to implement laws to control mass shootings and reduce the incidence of violent gun crimes (Chapman et al., 2016). The Australian government also launched a buyback program in 1996, which resulted in the confiscation of more than $650,000 (Bright et al., 2022).
The primary goal of these measures was to ensure limited access and possession of guns by the general public and to lower the rates of gun violence crimes in the country. However, despite the high regulations on firearms in Australia, access to illicit firearms by Australian criminals continues to increase. Therefore, there is a need for further stun measures to be taken into consideration to curb the increasing accessibility of illicit firearms to criminals and individuals, to minimize crime rates in Australia.
Various factors determine gun accessibility in Australia and America. Firstly, there is the issue of increased availability of firearms for the general public to purchase. According to Dempsey et al. (2019), the ease of gun accessibility for purchase depends on factors such as age restrictions, background checks, and waiting periods. Secondly, there is the factor of the number and type of firearms available for purchase. Thirdly, accessibility to firearms in Australia and America is determined by the buyers’ disposable income in relation to the price and the number of licensed gun dealers in a certain region.
Furthermore, it is not Australia and America that have high rates of gun ownership. However, they are unique in the extent of gun accessibility. Other countries reflect high rates of gun ownership, including Switzerland and Finland. However, countries such as Japan have stricter laws on gun ownership control and thus lower rates of gun violence crimes. The evidence, therefore, supports the research hypothesis that increased gun ownership rates lead to an increase in gun violence rates.
Prohibited and Permitted Personal Weapons
In the U.S., the possession of prohibited and permitted personal weapons depends on the individual’s permit status. By establishing extra restrictions on access to firearms based on factors that have been linked to an increased probability of violence or self-harm, several states have created eligibility standards. In general, personal weapons will be either permitted or prohibited based on the individual’s background, including their mental health, previous incidents that have jeopardized the well-being of others, and their imprisonment records (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives [ATF], n.d.).
The FBI background check system has prevented the sale, transfer, and issuance of permits for weapons to people who are prohibited from possessing weaponry by both state and federal law. The majority of states have also passed legislation to include at least some federal gun regulations (ATF, n.d.). Therefore, citizens of the U.S. are not limited to the types of firearms they can purchase, including rifles, shotguns, or other types of weaponry, as long as they have a permit.
Similar to the United States, permitted and prohibited personal weapons in Australia are based on the gun license. However, Australian gun law is stricter, limiting one’s rights to possess firearms, even handguns, until one has undergone all stages of license procedures. The individual will have to describe the genuine reason for requesting to possess a firearm and finish a multi-day course on weapon safety (Gun Control Australia, n.d.).
Then, they will have to take both the written test and an in-person evaluation to receive a certificate proving that they have completed the course. Finally, the application is processed by the Firearms Registry, which also performs background investigations on past convictions, any court-ordered psychological orders, and intellectual capacity (Gun Control Australia, n.d.). Therefore, additional preventative measures are required, such as written tests, courses, and evaluations.
The accessibility of guns has been a significant factor contributing to increased gun violence. Recently, significant research has been aiming to justify the relationship between gun violence crimes and gun accessibility. A relevant study on protective gun ownership by Warner & Thrash (2019) shows that the primary contributor to gun violence in America is increased accessibility and the existence of the black market.
Past studies examining the correlation between gun violence crimes and gun accessibility also showed that gun violence had been facilitated by increased accessibility (Dempsey et al., 2019). Based on these studies, there is a strong relationship between gun violence rates and gun accessibility in both Australia and America, despite the control measures. The graph below shows the 2023 statistical data on the rates of gun violence, crimes, deaths, and injuries in the U.S.
As evidenced, significant cases of victims have been associated with mass killings through guns, which shows that despite the measures set by the U.S., the issue of gun violence crimes is still evident, with a significant number of cases being experienced in different states every day. Therefore, the correlation between gun accessibility and gun violence crimes can be evidenced in homicides and suicides across different demographics.
Although there is a clear correlation between gun violence crimes and accessibility, it is challenging to establish a causal relationship. For instance, some researchers claim that other factors other than accessibility, such as poverty and urbanization, drive ownership rates and violence (Lu & Temple, 2019). However, a research study by Cassino & Besen‐Cassino (2019) shows that states that implement stricter laws to control gun accessibility and possession experience lower rates of gun violence crimes. Therefore, substantial evidence reveals the correlation between gun violence crimes and accessibility.
Firearm-Related Crime and Gun Laws
The U.S. has a wide range of and frequently divided public opinion regarding gun ownership and gun control policies. While some Americans advocate for broad gun ownership rights and oppose gun control measures, others support stricter gun laws. However, people’s views on gun ownership and gun control measures are influenced by several factors, such as their political leanings, their exposure to gun violence, and their attitudes about the government’s proper role in enforcing gun laws.
The media and interest groups have a significant influence on public opinion regarding gun control measures. The public’s perspective greatly shapes and enforces gun control laws (Chapman et al., 2016). Politicians typically take public sentiment into account when making decisions on gun control legislation, and citizen pressure can be an effective means of effecting change. However, the language used and the context in which gun control measures are presented can also sway public opinion.
The U.S. has already implemented various gun control measures, including background checks, waiting times, and restrictions on selling certain firearms. The red flag has also been a control measure for some states that deem individuals a threat to themselves or others. Other stricter laws have been implemented in some other countries, which help them control gun violence crimes, including mandatory gun registration and bans on civilian ownership of certain firearms.
However, in recent times, there has been a continuing debate about the effectiveness of gun violence crime control measures. Studies have shown that strict control measures help reduce gun violence crimes (Cassino & Besen‐Cassino, 2019). Further research shows that gun control measures may be less effective in reducing gun violence crimes in areas where high poverty and crime rates are witnessed (Chapman et al., 2016). To understand how gun control laws affect the rates of gun violence, case studies from other nations are helpful (Cassino & Besen-Cassino, 2019). However, it is challenging to directly compare the effects of gun control measures across nations due to cultural and political differences.
In America, laws controlling gun ownership vary widely from one location to the next. Different states have different gun control policies, with some being laxer than others. Case studies can be used to examine the effect of various gun control legislations on the prevalence of gun violence in various regions. The effects of different gun restriction regimes on crime rates can be studied through the use of case studies.
Researchers can learn what makes gun control legislation effective by examining case studies of its implementation (Cassino & Besen-Cassino, 2019). Gun control measures can be improved in the future if these contributing elements are understood. For instance, Figure 2 shows the statistics behind gun violence in the U.S. It focuses on the impacts of gun control measures in California on the issue of gun violence in the state.
Figure 3 compares homicide deaths in relation to gun violence crimes around the world.
For example, in contrast to the U.S., the gun laws in Australia are different and stricter. Due to the lengthy screening process required by the National Firearms Agreement, which continues to be in effect, Australians must wait 28 days before acquiring a gun. Application requirements include obtaining a license and permit, being at least 18 years old, providing proof of storage space for the weapon, and completing a firearms safety course (Alexandre-Hunt, 2022).
Most importantly, they must give a justifiable reason for possessing the weapon, which, in contrast to the United States, excludes self-defense. The government has acquired and destroyed almost one-third of Australia’s weapons over the past twenty-five years, reducing the number of homes with weapons by half (Alexandre-Hunt, 2022). As a result, such strict regulations are aimed at reducing the risks of mass murder and risks on the micro and macro levels.
Hypothesis
H1: A decrease in guns will cause an increase in crimes. The proposed hypothesis states that a high number of gun owners indicates that a community’s residents are knowledgeable about firearms and have a strong sense of responsibility when it comes to self-defense. As a result of the deterrent impact that armed citizens have on potential criminals, it is believed that crime rates will decrease.
Methodology/Data
In terms of methodology, the optimal design for the paper would be a combination of qualitative and quantitative approaches that will help not only assess the phenomenon of gun violence but also examine the statistics related to gun-related crime. Therefore, the study employs a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches, and the data collection includes a review of existing literature on gun accessibility and gun control policies in the U.S.
Besides, information was gathered from the analysis of statistical data on gun violence crimes and gun control policies from publicly available databases and reports. Key stakeholders from various case studies were also interviewed with the primary goal of gathering relevant data from the cities.
Evidence/Results
It can be claimed, based on the reviewed literature, that higher rates of gun-related violent crime are not always associated with higher rates of gun ownership. Gun regulations alone, while not always leading to a reduction in homicides involving firearms, can still have an impact on their frequency. The available information partially supports the currently accepted hypothesis, but it does not totally disprove the reverse.
Therefore, it can be claimed that a high prevalence of ownership of weapons among citizens does not inherently make circumstances worse for criminals. Nevertheless, while evaluating the connection between gun ownership and violent crime rates, additional variables ought to be taken into account, such as socioeconomic, cultural, and regional factors.
Conclusion
The research paper analyzes the relationship between gun violence and accessibility in the U.S. and Australia. Based on the analysis, statistics show that gun violence crimes are directly related to gun accessibility. Therefore, gun crimes are associated with gun accessibility; thus, a reduction in gun accessibility significantly impacts them. However, although gun control measures have been effective in reducing the rates of gun violence, their effectiveness varies from state to state based on significant factors.
Therefore, to combat gun violence, policymakers must prioritize implementing effective gun control while addressing its underlying causes. Future studies should be dedicated to exploring the connection between gun accessibility and violence, and evaluating the results of new control policies as they are enacted.
References
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