Abstract
This chapter marks the start of the final section of the book, which focuses on the landscape of gun policymaking in the United States. The intention of this chapter is to examine gun policy proposals believed to reduce incidences of mass shootings and gun violence as a whole. Gun violence prevention advocates provide policy suggestions and deliberate about their chances of gaining traction, considering estimated levels of public support and the current political climate. Discussed first of all are proposals centering on restricting the lethality of weapons (e.g., those focused on ammunition, large capacity magazines, and assault weapons). Policies centered on reducing firearm access to restricted persons are then discussed: extreme risk protection orders, safe storage laws, and universal background checks. Lastly, other miscellaneous proposals are deliberated: age restrictions, ghost guns, funding for research pertaining to guns, a licensing system for firearms, and smart gun technology.
TopAmmunition
A possible avenue of gun legislation to pursue is one centering on ammunition (see Dailard, 1998; Healey, 1998; Kerr, 2019). In 1998, Healey (p. 1) described ammunition control as “the next frontier in gun control policy.” In spite of this, it has never really gained proper traction in the policy sphere. The Gun Control Act (1968) required a log of ammunition sales; however, this law ceased with 1986 Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (Vizzard, 1999, p. 134). In theory, focusing gun policies on ammunition could afford certain advantages to reducing gun violence. Specifically, these could serve to prevent or reduce the harm caused in mass shooting incidents.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Universal Background Checks: This extends the current background check system, whereby a universal system would mandate that a background check is required for any purchase or transfer of a firearm, including those at gun shows and in private sales.
Safe Storage: Laws requiring firearms to be securely locked away in the household (e.g., in a cabinet) to prevent them being accessed by children or other restricted persons.
Framing: This is a technique that sets parameters on a particular issue and has the potential to affect public opinion.
Interest Groups: These are organizations motivated by a particular belief system, such as gun violence prevention, which seeks to influence the policy actions of government.
Bullet Control: This advocates tighter controls on bullets, such as the quantities and types, as well as background checks to purchase ammunition.
Ghost Guns: These are firearms which are untraceable by law enforcement, including those made by a 3D printer.
Extreme Risk Protection Orders: These refer to orders whereby access is temporarily removed from individuals considered to be a danger to themselves or others. These are also more commonly known in public discourse as “red flag laws.”