The Global Gun Culture

Paper Summary:

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 gun violence, 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."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Ajdacic-Gross, V., Killias, M., Hepp, U., & Gadola,E., (2006). Changing Times: A longitudinalanalysis of international firearm suicide data. American Journal of Public Health, 96(10), 1752-1756.
• Berrigan, F. (2008). The US Senate: Stalling hemispheric arms control. NACLA Report on theAmericas, 41(2), 18-20.
• Braga, A. A., & Pierce, G. L., (2005). Disrupting illegal firearms markets in Boston: The effectsof Operation Ceasefire on the supply of new handguns to criminals. Criminology & Public Policy, 4(4), 717-749.
• Fatima, M., de Souza, M., Macinko, J., Alencar, A. P., Malta, D. C., & Neto, O. L. D., (2007).Update: International Report: Reductions in firearm-related mortality and hospitalization in Brazil after gun control. Health Affairs, 26(2), 575-585.
• Hartung, W., & Stohl, R., (2004). Prime numbers: Hired guns. Foreign Policy, 142(1),28-29.

More papers on The Global Gun Culture:

• Book Review # 42016 : "Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture"
• Analytical Essay # 23455 : "The House Gun"
• Book Review # 32712 : "The Global Media"

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