PH 528 Assignment 4

Are Gun Violence and Gun Safety Public Health Issues?

Gun violence and gun safety are unquestionably public health issues since they significantly affect mortality, injury, and overall community well-being. Firearm violence, either intentional, suicidal, or accidental discharge, is a massive public health problem that touches on individuals, families, and society’s welfare. Other effects of gun violence include the death toll and confinement, psychological effects, cost of treatment, and future social impact (Werbick et al., 2021): PH 528 Assignment 4.

Through the efforts of educated and enforced gun violence prevention, action public health means and programs of education, community activity, and policy are available. Three key measures important to contain the risks are the universal background check, safe storage laws, and restricted access to firearms to dangerous individuals. Public health measures focus more on the prevention rather than the punishment of the offenders and seek to save lives due to gun-related incidences or mishaps.

This is why the ideas of public health in regulating and controlling guns carry importance since all the facets of the public are at risk of exposure to gun violence. Gun safety measures should, therefore, be pursued in the framework of public health interests.

Governor Malloy’s Strategies

This case study demonstrates how the executive branch can influence legislative policy and procedures through Governor Dannel Malloy in supporting and facilitating gun safety laws. Considering the nature of legislative processes, Malloy took action for the change to happen after the Sandy Hook shooting incident.   He took the frontline to mobilize the public by holding public meetings and creating publicity through the media. Through visible advocacy, he influenced politicians and depicted gun safety as a moral and health issue that united both parties on the need for tougher safeguards (Abdalla et al., 2020).

His planning had well-defined legislation working under him, which included issues like background checks for every buyer and an outright ban on assault weapons. He thus remained undeterred in demanding comprehensive reforms regardless of the opposition received from gun rights activists. This case has shown how a governor particular can use political power, public opinion, and political force to get legislative approval for a particular policy, thus pointing to the key role of the executive branch in defining policy agenda and, thus, in initiating the process which leads to policy change despite existing adversities.

From Tragedy to Bipartisan Action: The Sandy Hook Response

While proactive policymaking is ideal, history shows that landmark legislative reforms are usually preceded by tragedy. The emotional outcry in the wake of tragedies like the Sandy Hook shooting has a way of transcending political ideology and forcing bipartisan action. Public outrage and grieving place tremendous pressure on lawmakers, and it becomes impossible to ignore demands for change. In Connecticut, the havoc caused by Sandy Hook brought political leaders together to enact some of the country’s strictest gun safety reforms, including universal background checks and an assault weapons ban.

Although it may seem reactionary, harnessing tragedy to drive policy change ensures that future tragedies can be prevented (Wagner, 2022). Absent public passion to drive legislative momentum, meaningful reforms can be stalled indefinitely or fail altogether. So, while preventive policymaking is ideal, tragic events are typically the requisite catalyst to enact vital and long-awaited legislation.

Do you Agree that Gun Violence Would be Reduced by Implementing Policies?

Yes, addressing broader societal issues such as poverty, mental health, education, housing, and prison reform can significantly reduce gun violence. Most gun incidents have their origin in systemic inequalities and lack of access to basic services.

Economic instability always leads to higher crime rates, while untreated mental illness increases the risk of suicide and violence. Improved education provides individuals with better opportunities, reducing the likelihood of criminality. Stable housing and social support systems can prevent individuals from resorting to violence.

Additionally, prison reform focused on rehabilitation rather than punishment can reduce recidivism and prevent cycles of violence. Governor Malloy recognized that gun violence is not solely an issue of firearm access but also of the conditions that cause individuals to use firearms in destructive manners (Braga & Cook, 2023). A comprehensive approach of social reforms coupled with gun control measures would make communities safer and reduce firearm incidents in the long run.

My Response

Having read the case study, my response has been strengthened rather than changed. I already believe gun violence to be a public health issue based on its impact on mortality, mental health, and public safety. The case study reinforces this perception by highlighting how firearm deaths extend beyond crime to include suicides, domestic violence, and mass shootings. Governor Malloy’s reaction underscores the need for a comprehensive approach through legislation, social reforms, and mental health interventions, which is consistent with a public health response.

The study also highlights the need for policy-led prevention, demonstrating how effective legislation can restrict gun-related harm. It also highlights the long-term social consequences of gun violence, demonstrating that it must be tackled through public health interventions (Greenberg et al., 2024). My original stance thus remains unchanged but is now more deeply informed by the case study’s examples and evidence.

References

Abdalla, S. M., Keyes, K. M., & Galea, S. (2020). A Public Health Approach to Tackling the Role of Culture in Shaping the Gun Violence Epidemic in the United States. Public Health Reports, 136(1), 6–9. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354920965263

Braga, A. A., & Cook, P. J. (2023). Policing gun violence: Strategic reforms for controlling our most pressing crime problem. Oxford University Press.

Greenberg, B., Bennett, A., Naveed, A., Raluca Petrut, Wang, S. M., Vyas, N., Amir Bachari, Khan, S., Tea Christine Sue, Dryburgh, N., Faris Almoli, Skidmore, B., Shaver, N., Evan Chung Bui, Brouwers, M., Moher, D., Little, J., Maggi, J., & Ahmed, N. (2024). How firearm legislation impacts firearm mortality internationally: A scoping review. Health Policy OPEN, 7, 100127–100127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hpopen.2024.100127

Wagner, K. (2022). The Work We Cannot Ignore: Preaching and Gun Violence. Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology, 76(3), 235–245. https://doi.org/10.1177/00209643221096132

Werbick, M., Bari, I., Paichadze, N., & Hyder, A. A. (2021). Firearm violence: a neglected “Global Health” issue. Globalization and Health, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-021-00771-8

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Assignment #4

PH 528

Directions: Read the “Gun Safety Case Study”, which outlines the passing of gun safety legislation by Dannel Malloy, former Governor of Connecticut. Respond to the following questions, with each response a minimum of 150 words.

Due Date: Upload your assignment to Blackboard as a .doc or .docx file by 11:59 PM on Sunday 2/16.

Questions:

1. Before reading the case study, reflect on the following- are gun violence and gun safety public health issues?

2. How does this case study showcase the power of the executive branch to influence policymaking in the legislative branch? Reflect on some of Governor Malloy’s strategies.

3. Many argue that after a tragedy like the school shooting at Sandy Hook is too late to pass public policy. However, emotion caused by such an event can often propel legislation forward and garner bipartisan support. Reflect on this.
   

   PH 528 Assignment 4

4. Governor Malloy emphasizes that gun violence may be a downstream effect of larger societal issues. Do you agree that gun violence would be reduced by passing policies focusing on issues such as poverty, mental health, education, housing, and prison reform?

5. After reading the entire case study, has your response to #1 changed? Why or why not?

Case Study Source: Castrucci, B.C., Benjamin, G., Guerrero Ramirez, G., & Castillo, G. (2021). Public Health Under Siege: Improving Policy in Turbulent Times. APHA Press.