This week, you will submit a PowerPoint presentation based on your Analytical Paper.
Your 5- to-6-slide presentation should explain your chosen speech on a literal level and provide a brief discussion of your analysis. The last slide in your presentation should be a learning activity or tool for those viewing your presentation. The goal of the last slide is to guide others in the right direction so that they can develop greater insights about your text and its implications.
Be creative! How can you teach others what you have learned?
Ideas for engaging learning activities include:
- Design a scavenger hunt; audience members must find examples in the text to confirm or challenge your conclusions
- Create a checklist that others can use as they read the assigned text
- Create an infographic or poster that presents your analysis at a glance
- Provide instructions for a debate
PAGE The Psychology of Gun Control Richard A. Dimaano West Coast University – Ontario English 240 – Written Communications Professor Charles Hollenbeck 10/18/2020 Introduction Lack of defined laws regarding gun control is a significant issue in the United States. The state has experienced a series of shooter activities for a long time. After the shooting has taken place, there are no possible steps taken to ensure that such activities do not happen again. Besides, the leaders have appeared in public, saying that there is nothing that can get done to minimize the cases of shooter activities. Most of the leaders have cited the mental illness of the shooters as the main issue that has made it difficult to control their activities. However, it is plausible to note that in every shooter activity, there are blames on the mental illness of the perpetrators. This has created a loophole in ensuring that there is the enactment of gun laws. There is also a lack of a better curriculum that can address the importance of being aware of gun controls. The creation of awareness is essential in ensuring that low cases of shooter activities are recorded. In most of the cases, the perpetrators live among people. The public usually has the awareness about the individual’s possession of the gun but plays no role in ensuring that the case is reported to relevant agencies. Gun controls are not the only problem in the United States. The most significant problem is the intentions for possessing a weapon. Some possess a weapon for self-defense, and they perform no shooter activities. The statistics show that most of the shooter activities take place in gun-free areas. This shows that gun control will not solve the challenge being faced in the United States. The most critical issue is to change the mentality of the individuals towards ownership of weapons. Perspective of individuals on gun control It is vital to change the perspective of individuals on gun control. One of the ways is to ensure that those purchasing the guns have them registered and have obtained a license for using the gun. Although it might be difficult in recording a hundred percent compliance, the approach can aid in reducing the number of gun violence cases in the United States (Gonzalez, n.d.). It will create a sense of responsibility among gun users. Thus, the state will record reduced cases of shooter activities. Another important aspect is to ensure that the public knows how to use guns. In most cases, guns get sold to civilians without training them on when and how to use the gun. When this happens, the civilians think that they can use their guns as per their wish. They end up creating fear for the public (Gerdes, 2019). However, with prior training on usage of the gun, the civilians can understand the cases that need usage of a gun. This is a better approach than enacting gun controls that prohibit civilians from owning guns. Using gun control may seem ineffective at times. It can make civilians turn to be lawbreakers. The stricter the government becomes, the more elusive the civilians become. The civilians tend to think that they are being infringed. Thus, the turn to be more creative in getting the guns even though there could be gun controls. Blame Mechanism Most of the cases have been faced with a blame mechanism. Gun controls and gun ownership has been politicized, making it difficult for an amicable solution to be achieved. The Trump administration has been faced with this challenge. In most of the gun violence cases, Trump has come out and stated that there are no methods that could be applied to prevent the activity. This has made the citizens think that the government has given up on gun control. As a result, the citizens have played no role in ensuring that the cases are minimized. Instead, more guns are usually acquired by civilians. The citizens have given up on the protection being provided by the state government. They have resulted in proving their security by acquiring more guns (Victor, 2016). In this case, gun control cannot help in reducing their population among the civilians. The first attempt by the government should change the mentality of the citizens. There is a need to make the citizens aware that the state government is capable of providing the needed security and protection. The government should also act by providing security to the citizens. In this way, very few people will ever think of acquiring a gun. Mental illness of the perpetrators After shooter activities are recorded, many of the people have come out and blamed the mental illness of the perpetrators. Those involved in gun violence have been thought to have a mental illness. However, this is not always the case. Most of the people perform shooter activities while in their right minds. Besides, they perform their act due to exposure to traumatic experiences that make them to revenge (Perry, 2017). The revenge mentalism is the critical factor responsible for many of the shooter activities recorded in the United States. In other cases, individuals who do not have proper exposure to treatment regarding depressive disorders have also found themselves being at the forefront in performing shooter activities. Mental illness is a crucial factor leading to gun violence. Nevertheless, it has been an elusive method to get away from charges. People have used it as an escape route after carrying out manslaughter. Gun control and gun violence It is important to note that gun control will not reduce cases of gun violence in the United States. Most of the people have already acquired guns. There is a large number of weapons in the hands of the civilian. Thus, the introduction of gun control will only have superficial effects. Some of the cities, such as Florida, have little restrictions regarding ownership of guns (Manier, 2020). Purchasing a gun in Florida is as easy as purchasing an essential commodity like food. Gun ownership has been normalized. It is an ideal approach to deal with the modern trends. Thus, civilians can quickly get their guns without much struggle in Florida. The guns are never licensed, and the buyer does not get a permit to carry it. If there were changes in the way people perceive ownership of guns, there would be positive results. People will have more control over their guns. They will not use their guns to harm others. Instead, they will help the police to ensure law and order is kept in the society by ensuring that they protect themselves and others from criminals. Guns and Civilians The best method to ensure there are fewer guns in the hands of the civilians is to reduce the level of stigma and insecurity in the country. In most of the cases, people who feel insecure have higher chances of owning a gun (Bennett, n.d.). They fear of being attacked has made many of the people to acquire guns. For instance, there are very many cases of rape among women in the United States. Statistics show that one in four women in the US falls victim to rape. The case scenario creates a sense of tension among the woman. Thus, there is a high likelihood that most of the women will do everything they can to reduce their vulnerability. One of the ways most of them have applied is to acquire weapons that are used as a form of security. Guns for protection Civilians tend to use the guns purchased to protect them if their preying perpetrators attack them. In other cases, people who are not accepted in society develop a high level of stigma. When the situation is never addressed, they can end up harming the rest of the members using a weapon. Most of the shooter activities recorded in the Unites States are based on emotional response to situations (Bennett, n.d.). The perpetrators usually have underlying stressors that make them act through activities such as manslaughter. Thus, the most critical issue to address first is the state of insecurity that residents have and the state of stigma among the societal members. The two are among the contributing factors that have led to a large number of guns among the civilians. Conclusion Looking at the statistics, it is evident that most gun violence takes place in areas with regulated gun laws. Besides, many of the people have developed a negative perception of gun control as they think that guns are the primary source of unrest witnessed in the Unites States. Nonetheless, the most significant challenge lies in the hands of the citizens. The citizens have a crucial role in ensuring that guns are used according to the intended purposes. Canada, Japan, and Australia have many guns in the hands of the civilians, but the countries have recorded low cases of gun violence. The scenario indicates that gun controls are as important as changing the minds of gun owners. References Gerdes, P. (2019). Gun control laws are not effective. Retrieved 24 September 2020, from http://www.easternecho.com/article/2019/05/letter-to-the-editor-gun-control Manier, L. (2020). Does Gun Control Really Work? | National Center for Health Research. Retrieved 24 September 2020, from https://www.center4research.org/does-gun-control-really-work/ Perry, C. (2017). Why Gun Control is Not the Answer, and What We Can Do to Stop Gun Violence | Farmington Flyer. Retrieved 24 September 2020, from http://www2.umf.maine.edu/flyer/archives/2013-spring/issue-2-3-7-2013/why-gun-control-is-not-the-answer-and-what-we-can-do-to-stop-gun-violence/ Victor, H. (2016). Gun Control in the United States. Journal Of Political Sciences & Public Affairs, 4(2). doi: 10.4172/2332-0761.1000206 Bennett, K. No More Compromise. Gonzalez, E. Emma Gonzalez to Lawmakers and Gun Advocates.