Reducing Gun Violence in America: Informing Policy with Evidence and Analysis

by Michael R. Bloomberg (Foreword), Daniel W. Webster (Editor), Jon S. Vernick (Editor)

New
Paperback
2013
$15.46

The staggering toll of gun violence - which claims 31,000 U.S. lives each year - is an urgent public health issue that demands an effective evidence-based policy response. The Johns Hopkins University convened more than 20 of the world's leading experts on gun violence and policy to summarize relevant research and recommend policies that are both constitutional and have broad public support. Collected for the first time in one volume, this reliable, empirical research and legal analysis will help lawmakers, opinion leaders, and concerned citizens identify policy changes to address mass shootings, along with the less-publicized gun violence that takes an average of 80 lives every day. Selected recommendations include: Background checks: establish a universal background check system for all persons purchasing a firearm from any seller; High-risk individuals: expand the set of conditions that disqualify an individual from legally purchasing a firearm; Mental health: focus federal restrictions on gun purchases by persons with serious mental illness on the dangerousness of the individual; Trafficking and dealer licensing: appoint a permanent director to ATF and provide the agency with the authority to develop a range of sanctions for gun dealers who violate gun sales or other laws; Personalized guns: provide financial incentives to states to mandate childproof or personalized guns; Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines: ban the future sale of assault weapons and the future sale and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. It also include Research funds: provide adequate federal funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and National Institute of Justice for research into the causes and solutions of gun violence. The book includes an analysis of the constitutionality of many recommended policies and data from a national public opinion poll that reflects support among the majority of Americans - including gun owners - for stronger gun policies.

Synopsis

The staggering toll of gun violence - which claims 31,000 U.S. lives each year - is an urgent public health issue that demands an effective evidence-based policy response. The Johns Hopkins University convened more than 20 of the world's leading experts on gun violence and policy to summarize relevant research and recommend policies that are both constitutional and have broad public support. Collected for the first time in one volume, this reliable, empirical research and legal analysis will help lawmakers, opinion leaders, and concerned citizens identify policy changes to address mass shootings, along with the less-publicized gun violence that takes an average of 80 lives every day. Selected recommendations include: Background checks: establish a universal background check system for all persons purchasing a firearm from any seller; High-risk individuals: expand the set of conditions that disqualify an individual from legally purchasing a firearm; Mental health: focus federal restrictions on gun purchases by persons with serious mental illness on the dangerousness of the individual; Trafficking and dealer licensing: appoint a permanent director to ATF and provide the agency with the authority to develop a range of sanctions for gun dealers who violate gun sales or other laws; Personalized guns: provide financial incentives to states to mandate childproof or personalized guns; Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines: ban the future sale of assault weapons and the future sale and possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines. It also include Research funds: provide adequate federal funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institutes of Health, and National Institute of Justice for research into the causes and solutions of gun violence. The book includes an analysis of the constitutionality of many recommended policies and data from a national public opinion poll that reflects support among the majority of Americans - including gun owners - for stronger gun policies.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 320
Edition: 1
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Published: 25 Jan 2013
ISBN 10: 1421411105
ISBN 13: 9781421411101
Book Overview: The rate of firearms homicides in America is 20 times higher than it is in other economically advanced nations. We have got to change that. -- From the Foreword by Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City Gun violence is a public health issue. It's about the health of our children, our schools, our neighborhoods, our communities, our cities and towns. Perhaps there is no way to completely prevent the next tragedy, but that cannot be an excuse that keeps us from doing commonsense things such as preventing violent crime, locking up bad guys, and keeping assault weapons from falling into the hands of disturbed people who are a danger to others. This isn't about ideology. It's about dignity. -- Martin O'Malley, Governor of Maryland

Media Reviews

A masterful, timely, data-driven edited volume on gun control policy options in the U.S. The contributors use a public health lens to examine gun violence and explore issues ranging from mental health concerns to suicide.... The strength of this book is the mixed-method approach in compiling information on many policy options related to gun control, which utilizes case studies and quantitative evidence to make the case for policy change.... The contributors are optimistic and lay out concrete policy options in ways that are both sophisticated and easily accessible to all. * Choice *
An anthology of studies, condensing and summarizing the actual state of our knowledge about the subject of gun violence in this country-what real, tested social science shows. -- Adam Gopnik * New Yorker *
Surprisingly accessible and startlingly grim. Thankfully, the editors have done an excellent job organizing the material, which moves from current policy shortcomings to proposals for federal reforms. The debate that's raging might leave you feeling hopeless, which this book suggests otherwise. -- John Lewis * Baltimore Magazine *
This is a 'must' for any concerned about gun control. * Midwest Book Review *
We've all heard the saying that when arguing we should `disagree without being disagreeable' but, when it comes to guns, we often find ourselves disagreeing without actually disagreeing. Most Americans believe in some kinds of gun control. Most Americans recognize the `right to bear arms'. Most agree that expanded background checks can be useful in keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous or irresponsible people. Considering that there is so much agreement on basic policy, what the gun debate desperately needs is sober clear-headed analysis. Reducing Gun Violence in America edited by Daniel Webster contributes greatly to this need. -- Shawn Hamilton * New Books in Public Policy *

Author Bio

Daniel W. Webster, ScD, MPH, is a professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, where he serves as Director of the Center for Gun Policy and Research, Deputy Director of Research for the Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence, and Director of the PhD program in Health and Public Policy. He has published numerous articles on the prevention of gun violence, firearm policy, youth gun acquisition and carrying, intimate partner violence, and the prevention of youth violence. Jon S. Vernick, JD, MPH, is an associate professor of Health Policy and Management at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Co-Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research. He is committed to translating research findings into policy change, regularly working with legislators, media, courts, and advocates to provide information about effective policies.