What Should We Do About the Increase in Gun Violence?

Essay

Jan 08, 2022

481 words

Nahashon Wanjiku
University of ZYZ
 One hundred Americans die as result of gun violence each day. Annually, 40,000 people lose
lives while 70,000 suffer nonfatal injuries arising from gun violence.1 Studies show a co-relation
between mental illness and gun violence. As research proves the psychological state of the
people who own guns can contribute to misuse of firearms, addressing mental sickness especially
of gun owners can help to minimize gun violence.

Addressing the mental health of gun owners can reduce incidences of gun violence. People
experiencing persecutory delusion and untreated mental diseases are at increased risk of
aggression against family members, the population in learning institutions or the general public.
Lowe and Galea, 2017 as quoted by Smarta and Tery, 2021, "state that mental health, anxiety
and perceptions of safety2" contribute significantly to mass shootings. The findings fit into the
often stated statement by advocates of gun ownership that "Guns don't kill, people do." If the
healthcare workers focus on the mental health status of citizens, a viable solution to gun
violence would be found.

A psychiatric diagnosis of people who apply to own guns or citizens who possess guns
already can help to lower the loss of lives through gun violence. Insane people are more likely
to misuse firearms. 60% of the perpetrators of mass killings in the United States since the
1970s have been diagnosed with "acute paranoia or delusions before committing the crime.3"
Additionally, the people who commit mass killings have a history of violent behavior as well as
alcohol and drug abuse. Owing to the fact that an unhealthy mental condition contributes to gun
violence, a mental health checkup should be part of gun violence prevention policy.

Public health, which promotes the psychological wellness of the entire community, families
and individuals, would be an effective means to prevent gun violence. A public health program
involves professionals working with the community to address issues such as alcoholism, drug
abuse, mental well-being, and violent tendencies. Citizens who become educated on
recognizing people most likely to commit violence through misuse of guns would greatly assist
law reinforcement officers and healthcare staff to identify the violent among society4. The
healthcare workers and police would in turn implement preventive measures and thus act in
good time to prevent deaths and injuries through gun violence.
 As proven in this paper, poor mental health is one of the factors that lead to gun violence.
Luckily, treating mental sickness, conducting a psychiatric background checkup before
licensing citizens to own guns and public health education on the general population all play a
significant role in preventing and minimizing gun violence. The three strategies are quite
helpful in making society safer without necessarily outlawing private ownership of firearms. 
Footnote

1. Anon. Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Prevention. The Education Fund to Stop
Gun Violence. (2021).

2. Ssentongo, P., Fronterre, C., Ssentongo, A.E. et al. Gun violence incidence during the
COVID-19 pandemic is higher than before the pandemic in the United States.
Volume 11, Article number: 20654, Scientific Reports. Accessed on 8th Jan, 2022.

3. Ssentongo, P., Fronterre, C., Ssentongo, A.E. et al.

4. Anon.

Bibliography

Anon,. Public Health Approach to Gun Violence Prevention. The Education Fund to Stop Gun
Violence. (2021).

Ssentongo, P., Fronterre, C., Ssentongo, A.E. et al. Gun violence incidence during the COVID-
19 pandemic is higher than before the pandemic in the United States. (2021.)