The Chart Wirh the Three Alternative Methods for Gun Control - Paper Example

Alternative 1: Status Quo

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The status quo indicated a surge in the number of people who were in favor of more fervent gun control measures that will lead the laws to control crimes based on gun controls.

Effectiveness: Refers to an option that will produce the most desirable outcome in dealing with gun control (Bardach, 2012).This policy had been adopted in 1995 in Connecticut and it responsible for a reduction in the rate of firearm homicide rate by a margin of 40% and a reduction in the rate of firearm suicides by 15% .

Equity: Those affected by the regulations are those whose past records show an inclination to violence. They will be barred from holding firearms.

Political Acceptability: The bill was defeated in 2013 when it came to the senate. In 2015, after the San Bernardino shooting in California, the bill was brought to parliament again but it was voted down again, this time having fewer votes than even in 2013 (Robert, 2012).

Financial feasibility: The bill was defeated in 2013 when it came to the senate. In 2015, after the San Bernardino shooting in California, the bill was brought to parliament again but it was voted down again, this time having fewer votes than even in 2013 (Catherine et al, 2008).

Alternative 2: Adopting the Australian-style intervention way

Effectiveness: The law was already in place between 1994 and 2004 but it was not able to change a lot of things because it had many loopholes. The law was reviewed and brought again to the senate in 2004 but congress allowed it to lapse (Cohen, 2011). However, this technique has been used in other countries such as Australia and, it has achieved great results. The government bans the sale of assault weapons and buys the ones that are currently being owned by the citizens. Has been used before with much success in Australia, therefore its effectiveness is high.

Equity: Citizens will be banned and, prevented from having or purchasing assault weapons (these are automatic and semi-automatic weapons)

Political Acceptability: refers to an option that can generate sufficient support or opposition (Bardach, 2012). Most gun laws need the backing of the congress or the senate, failure to which they are voted against. Unfortunately, this alternative has not received sufficient political backing in the past, mostly because it contains many loopholes (Marvin et al, 2010). Political acceptability requires a great deal of support from the opposition especially. This requires multiple nationwide lobbying so that more people can embrace gun law amends.

Financial feasibility: refers to an option that takes the states finances into consideration when determining the amount of money that will be used in implementing the gun control laws (Bardach, 2012). The government will need enough financial resources to purchase all the assault weapons that are currently owned by citizens. This alternative would incur very high financial costs in billions due to the high number of firearms owned by the citizens. Americans own between 262 million and 310 million firearms. Cash spent would $210 billion if guns average around $700 each, or might be $600 billion if guns average $2,000 each.

Alternative 3: Adopting a national permit to purchase policy

Before a person is given a gun, his mental health records, drug abuse records, domestic violence records, and criminal history records are checked. If the person has a history of domestic violence, then he should not be allowed to carry any firearm. National permit to purchase policy will ensure that mentally ill citizens do not won firearms. Convicted felons together with other people ineligible people will not be able to own guns

Effectiveness: Has been used in several states and has had good results. A total of eighteen states have already passed this law (Catherine et al, 2008). All gun retailers in these states are required to run background checks on those who want to purchase guns

Equity: refers to an option that will be fair to those whom the gun regulations are going to apply to. The government and the public or the gun dealers (Bardach, 2012), this method will not be fair to customers who buy guns directly from stores. People who purchase guns from gun shows and online gun selling sites are exempted since there are no background checks there. These loopholes will have to be addressed.

Political Acceptability: The bill was defeated in 2013 when it came to the senate. In 2015, after the San Bernardino shooting in California, the bill was brought to parliament again but it was voted down again, this time having fewer votes than even in 2013 (Robert, 2012).

Financial feasibility: This alternative will be financially feasible since gun related incidents will reduce. Only the background checks will cost some money. However, it is a financial feasible method.

Exhibit 3: Alternative Matrix: Based on the established criteria the alternatives will be distinguished ranging from high, medium or low. This chart will determine the most effective alternative.

Alternatives Criteria

Effectiveness Equity Political Acceptability Financial Feasibility

1) Status Quo High Medium Low High

2) Australian-Intervention way High High Medium high

3) Adopting a national policy to purchase policy Medium Medium/low Low Low

Conclusion

The chart provides the three alternative methods for gun control with their respective ratings with regards to effectiveness, equity, political acceptability and financial feasibility. From the chart, then the best method with the highest rating can be selected.

References

Bardach, E. (2011). A practical guide for policy analysis: The eightfold path to more effective problem solving. 4th Edition

Britt, Chester, Gary, Kleck, and David, J. Bordua (2006) A Reassessment of the D.C. Gun Law: Some Cautionary Notes on the use of the Interrupted Time Series Designs for Policy Impact Assessment. Law and Society Review 30:361 - 80.

Catherine, Sproule and Kennett, Deborah J. (2008) Killing with Guns in the USA and Canada 1977 - 1983: Further Evidence for the Effectiveness of Gun Control. Canadian Journal Of Criminology 31, (3): 245 - 251.

Cohen, Lawrence and Land, Kenneth (2011) Age Structure and Crime: Symmetry versus Asymmetry and the Projection of Crime Rates Through the 1990s. American Sociological Review 52, (2): 170 -183.