The Effect of Media on Gun Violence and Gun Laws

The Effect of Media on Gun Violence and Gun Laws

Introduction

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms to all law-abiding American citizens (Gabor, 2016). Most state governments have also enacted a set of stringent control laws aimed at regulating civilian gun acquisition and use in order to ensure that only eligible citizens possess firearms (Bilgel, 2018). However, such policies have sparked numerous debates in recent years. Some argue that gun control laws appear to undermine the Second Amendment’s provisions. Even so, the measures were designed to reduce the recent increase in gun violence. For example, due to the misuse of firearms, the number of homicides, suicides, and other criminal acts has increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, the government devised strategies to reduce gun violence deaths by limiting the availability of firearms in public and ensuring that only responsible individuals were permitted to possess firearms.

The media is central to debates about gun control laws and the prevalence of gun violence. According to Gabor (2016), the media shapes people’s perceptions and attitudes toward gun violence and government-enacted gun control laws. They serve as informational tools for the public and the government by covering violent incidents and analyzing the consequences of armed civilians mishandling firearms (Bilgel, 2018). According to Ellerbrock (2010), media coverage of gun violence can influence people to use their firearms responsibly. The US government uses data collected by media outlets on issues such as mass shootings, suicides, and other criminal acts to create laws that will prevent more deaths while also maintaining public security preparedness. Various studies have shown that the media plays an important role in raising awareness about cases of gun violence when they occur. It also plays an important role in political debates by suggesting various methods that the government can use to reduce gun violence. According to Braga and Hureau (2015), most media reports indicate that the government should seek better strategies to control gun violence that go beyond tough laws.

Because of the increased cases of firearm misuse resulting in fatal injuries and deaths of innocent civilians, gun violence has become a major topic in most mainstream media. Some recent mass shootings, such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School, in which more than 20 students were killed, have heightened the debate over civilian gun ownership (Gabor, 2016). Some security stakeholders argue that arming civilians aids in the prevention of such attacks or reduces the number of casualties. Others, on the other hand, argue that it would increase the security risk if criminals obtained such weapons. The majority of previous research has focused on the prevalence of gun violence incidents and the various methods that the government can use to combat this vice. However, the majority of them fail to recognize the role of the media as an informational tool that shapes people’s opinions in political debates about the right to bear arms and its implications. This is an important topic because it can help the government recognize that the media plays an important role in advancing such debates and also influences public opinion on the subject. This study will examine the impact of media on gun violence and gun laws by analyzing data from previous studies in relation to the social learning theory.

Statement of the Problem

According to recent reports, gun violence is on the rise in the United States. According to McCarthy (2013), the prevalence of gun violence has risen dramatically in recent years since the American government granted civilians the right to own firearms under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution. According to Gabor (2016), 2012 was the worst year, with the highest number of gun-related deaths. He notes that the American media reported fifteen incidents of mass shootings in the country that year. Opponents of the policy that allows individuals to carry firearms argue that criminal activity and homicides have increased dramatically since civilian ownership of firearms was made legal in the country. Indeed, recent reports show that a significant number of people suffering from mental illnesses have used firearms to commit suicide. However, Lott (2010) contends that encouraging gun owners to use their weapons responsibly can reduce the number of injuries and deaths caused by reckless shootings. Because of the increased instances of gun misuse, most states have enacted various control laws to regulate the acquisition of firearms and to ensure that only eligible and responsible citizens are granted permission to possess the weapons. By covering such incidents, holding important discussions, and shaping people’s views on the issue, the media has played an important role in these political activities.

The Goals and Objectives

Previous research has concentrated on critical issues concerning the underlying political issues associated with firearm ownership, as well as their effects on public safety. However, there is little knowledge in the literature about how media influences these politics. Understanding the role of the media in such matters and how they influence public opinion on various issues is critical. The goal of this study is to see how the media covers incidents of gun violence and influences the formulation of gun control laws. The study will use data from previous studies to draw broad conclusions based on the results.

Hypothesis/Research Question

The research will be based on a single research question and a hypothesis that must be proven. The following research question will be addressed. Is the media involved in reporting cases of gun violence and influencing the formation of gun laws? The investigation will be based on the following research hypothesis as part of this study. The media is critical in covering incidents of gun violence and advancing the politics that lead to the passage of gun control legislation.

Theoretical Structure

The Theory of Social Learning

The study will concentrate on determining appropriate answers to the research question by analyzing data from previous studies and employing the social learning theory. This theory holds that people learn by observing the behaviors, attitudes, and outcomes of others’ actions. It asserts that most human behavior is learned through modeling, in which an individual observes others and uses the acquired information to guide future behavior. The theory defines human behavior as the result of ongoing interactions with environmental, cognitive, and behavioral influences. This theory is important to this research because it will aid in answering the research question by demonstrating how gun violence is caused by negative influences and learning from various sources.

Ferguson (2013) discovered, for example, that playing violent video games influences people to act violently in real-life situations. This is a social learning theory application in which individuals are influenced to act aggressively against others as a result of the influence they gain from playing violent games. Similar research has found that watching violent films influences people to behave violently toward others.

Carl (2011) found that media influences people’s attitudes and understanding of various issues. People rely on the media to obtain information about various issues that concern them, which shapes their opinions about the issues. For example, the public uses the media to learn about gun ownership, incidents of gun violence, and other political debates that are broadcast through various media outlets. Because people learn from what they read, see, or hear in the media, media influence is an application of the social learning theory. They learn and accept the information they receive from the media and use it to form their opinions. This clearly demonstrates observational learning, as proposed by the social learning theory.

This study will build on social learning theory by investigating its applicability in various contexts. The research process will entail using materials from previous studies to collect data for analysis, from which valid conclusions can be drawn. It will concentrate on analyzing information and applying social learning theory to the effect of media on gun violence issues, as well as the development of gun laws to regulate civilian firearm use.

Review of Literature

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. President Obama’s administration, in particular, allowed people to obtain firearms to protect themselves, particularly when they could not receive immediate assistance from the police or other security agencies. As a result, a large number of civilians obtained firearms for personal protection. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases of gun misuse. Gun violence has become a major issue in the United States in recent years (Jacobs, 2004; Cook & Ludwig, 2002). Some of the issues associated with gun violence include homicides in schools, suicides, robberies, and other criminal activities.

According to some officials, the increased prevalence of gun violence is due to irresponsible individuals misusing firearms. They argue that developing effective gun control laws can effectively reduce such incidents while still protecting civilians from imminent criminal and terrorist attacks. Others, on the other hand, argue that if civilians were not allowed to own firearms that cause such problems, there would be fewer cases of gun violence. For example, if civilians did not possess firearms, the number of violent robbery cases would be reduced. In essence, they argue that public firearms are used to commit criminal acts that result in fatal injuries, deaths, or even property loss. The media serves as a conduit for such discussions.

According to Seate, Cohen, Fujioka, and Hoffner (2012), the media portrays firearm misuse in the United States as a serious problem. Carl (2011) observes that the media informs the public about various political, social, and economic issues in a country. When the media focuses on a specific issue, the public perceives it to be important and worthy of their attention (Johnson & Gray, 2013). They obtain information from investigative reports that provide insights into various issues of public concern. According to Gabor (2016), how the media presents information to the public influences people’s opinions and views on an issue. For example, the media has a significant impact on public perception of gun violence, firearm ownership, and gun control laws.

For example, various media reports on what the government can do to reduce gun misuse have influenced the development of gun control legislation (Binder, 2015; McGuire, 2007). These laws are intended to regulate the acquisition and use of firearms in order to reduce cases of personal weapon misuse. According to Ramage, Bean, and Johnson (2016), the media is the conduit through which arguments that lead to the formation of important policies in a country take place. It has an impact on how policymakers make decisions on a variety of issues. As Ramage et al. (2016) point out, the media drives important debates that influence public opinion. For example, the media has played an important role in debates about gun violence and gun laws that can be enacted to reduce such incidents.

Based on reports from credible investigators, the media has been eager to investigate the causes of gun violence. Ferguson (2013), for example, claims that media has established a strong link between playing violent games, particularly in some sports game categories, and behaving violently. According to the author, the increased involvement of teenagers and youths in violent video games has greatly contributed to an increase in cases of violence involving young people. Neto and Oliveira (2012) discovered a link between electronic sports and gun violence in a similar study. These findings suggest that individuals who participate in violent games are more likely to misuse their firearms. The increased media awareness of the dangers of violent video games has resulted in the passage of gun control legislation. Based on reports on the psychological effects of playing violent games among most teenagers and youths, the media provides such information to the government and the public. These media reports have influenced the techniques used to control public violence cases.

According to Shuffelton (2015), the majority of victims of gun violence are students. He does, however, point out that the media does not provide balanced coverage of such incidents by failing to cover school attacks. Jacobs (2004) also asserts that the American media is biased in reporting incidents of gun violence because it only reports on mass shootings and ignores the majority of minor cases. In essence, the authors argue that some issues are widely covered while others are not. According to Shuffelton (2015), cases of school attacks should be given more attention in order for students to understand the gravity of the situation.

Methodology

The steps that will be taken when testing the research hypothesis will be included in the research methodology. These are the methods that will be used to demonstrate that the media plays an important role in addressing issues of gun violence and the development of gun control laws.

Design of Research

This study’s research design will include secondary data analysis to determine whether the media is an important component in addressing the growing problem of gun violence in the United States. The data will be derived from various journal articles and previous studies on gun violence, gun control laws, and civilian ownership of firearms in the United States. The studies will be scrutinized to ensure that the data is correct and that the findings are applicable to each case. The researchers’ approach will also be scrutinized to see if it is appropriate for the research questions. The validity and reliability of the research findings will be improved as a result.

During the analysis, the social learning theory will serve as the foundation for this study by examining its applicability in various contexts. This will entail determining how different people’s behavior is influenced by the environmental, cognitive, and behavioral influences of others. Its applicability in various situations will also support the study’s research hypothesis, which is that the media plays a critical role in addressing the long-standing issue of gun violence in the United States. The primary goal of the study is to find appropriate answers to the research question and to prove the research hypothesis.

Limitations of the Research

One of the study’s limitations is the issue of the reliability of information obtained from previous studies. The challenge of bias during data collection during previous studies is particularly one of the research’s challenges. Inaccuracies caused by bias in data collection for previous studies can have an impact on the validity and reliability of the findings. However, various mechanisms will be used to ensure that the information is reliable and generalizable across the entire population of the United States. Such techniques include using a wide range of sources to confirm the veracity of a claim in order to eliminate the possibility of bias-related inaccuracies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study focuses on the role of the media in recent controversies concerning the right to possess firearms and the increased prevalence of gun violence in the United States. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms to all American citizens. As a result, all eligible citizens can legally own guns to protect their security welfare, especially when the police or other security forces are unable to respond quickly and the situation is life-threatening. Different states have established a set of gun control laws to regulate civilians’ acquisition and use of firearms in order to prevent misuse and the associated risks. However, the increased prevalence of gun violence has sparked heated debates among various stakeholders about the consequences of armed civilians. Some argue that allowing individuals to own firearms is critical for reducing mass shootings by terrorists and other criminals. It is also a constitutional right that should not be violated by disarming civilians. Others, on the other hand, argue that the increased number of suicides, mass shootings, and other forms of gun violence is the result of irresponsible individuals misusing firearms.

The media plays an important role in the debates that lead to important political decisions. It provides critical information and recommendations to the government based on research and media coverage of gun violence cases. Such information assists the government in enacting gun control legislation to reduce gun violence. The media also shapes the public’s opinions on a variety of issues, including firearm ownership. As a result, the purpose of this research is to determine the effect and role of the media in reporting incidents of gun violence and influencing the formation of gun control laws.

References

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Binder, R. (2015). Gun Violence Restraining Orders: One Tool to Prevent Gun Violence. Psychiatric News, 50(21), 1–1. doi:10.1176/appi.pn.2015.11a18

Braga, A. A., & Hureau, D. M. (2015). Strong gun laws are not enough: The need for improved enforcement of secondhand gun transfer laws in Massachusetts. Preventive Medicine, 79, 37-42. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2015.05.018

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Seate, A. A., Cohen, E. L., Fujioka, Y., & Hoffner, C. (2012). Exploring Gun Ownership as a Social Identity to Understanding the Perceived Media Influence of the Virginia Tech News Coverage on Attitudes toward Gun Control Policy. Communication Research Reports, 29(2), 130-139. doi:10.1080/08824096.2012.667773

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