Gun Control Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gun Control Paper - Essay Example Gun ownership has remained a controversial issue in American politics. The controversy stems from the right to bear arms as outlined by the US constitution and the deliberate efforts and responsibility of the federal government to control gun related crimes (Valdez, 2003). Gun control laws exist almost at every government level since the federal government taxes the automatic weapons and the short barrel rifles which should be registered according to National Firearms Act of 1934. In addition, the Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits the transfer of guns to minors and also mail-order sales of guns in America. Although the 1968 Act required all guns to have serial numbers and prohibition of guns to individuals who have been convicted of felonies, the act has done minimal in controlling gun-related violence. The Gun Free School Zones Act of 1995 limited ability to carry guns near K-12 school, but different States have permitted full access of schools while armed (Valdez, 2003). On January 16, 2013, President Obama outlined several steps in gun control and access to mental health services. The proposals include background checks for all gun related transactions, stronger bans on assault rifles, and emergence response funds for shootings in schools. The proposals also include enhancing mental health services access among the young people and providing the law enforcement agencies more powers to investigate and prosecute citizens involved in gun related crimes (Valdez, 2003). The process policy model is the best model in legislating gun control laws. The focal point of the model is the political processes that involve all concerned stakeholders through changing the perception of the citizens and allowing public participation (Ginsberg & Miller-Cribbs, 2005). The process model starts with problem identification and the need of government action towards solving the problem (Fox, Bayat & Ferreira, 2006). The second step will include policy formulation and development of p roposals through the input of congressional committees and other interest groups. The third step should entail legitimization of the policy which will entail making the policy as law by the actions of the Congress and the President. The fourth step will entail implementation of the policy as law across the country through preparation of budgets and measures of the law enforcement agencies (Ginsberg & Miller-Cribbs, 2005). The final step will entail evaluation of the policy by the government agencies in order to ascertain whether the policy and laws have been able to deter gun related violence across the country (Fox, Bayat & Ferreira, 2006). Agenda setting/ identification of the gun violence problem The initial step in gun control policy will be outlining the need to legislate on gun control. The President will outline the societal need of protection from gun violence and escalating gun related deaths in the country (Fox, Bayat & Ferreira, 2006). The President must make the citizens also understand the Second Amendment of the constitution did not grant citizens the individual right to gun ownership. The President should create awareness that the United States is the leading country in gun ownership and has the highest rate of gun crime across the world. For instance,