Gun ControlMegan Hazelton, Madison Kramer,

Joe O’Brien, Joe Salamone, Scott Tremoulis

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In One Year… 31,224 PEOPLE DIE FROM GUN VIOLENCE

12,632 PEOPLE ARE MURDERED

683 CHILDREN AND TEENS KILL THEMSELVES

351 ARE KILLED BY POLICE INTERVENTION

3,067 CHILDREN AND TEENS DIE FROM GUN VIOLENCE

17,352 PEOPLE KILL THEMSELVES

679 PEOPLE ARE SHOT AND INJURED DURING POLICE INTERVENTIONS

613 PEOPLE ARE KILLED ACCIDENTALLY

2,161 CHILDREN AND TEENS ARE MURDERED

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Defining the Problem Gun violence: school shootings and mass

killings

Ease of obtaining weapons

Gun trafficking

United States Constitution

Political issue

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Causes and Effects No legislation at federal level

Varying state laws

More than 2,400 Americans shot since Tucson shooting

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Second Amendment “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to

the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”

Individual right to keep and bear arms District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)

Extended to state and local governments McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010)

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Federal Policies National Firearms Act of 1938

Strict registration requirements

Gun Control Act of 1968 Ban interstate sales of firearms and ammunition Prohibits minors from purchasing weapons Limits access to assault weapons Requires licenses for manufacturers, importers, and

dealers Implements penalties

Firearm Ownership Protection Act of 1986 Prohibits establishment of firearm and their owners

registry

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GCA: Prohibitive Criteria

Felony convictions

Fugitive from justice

Convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors

Subject to any restraining orders

Mentally disabled or been committed to mental institution

Addict or user of any controlled substance

Non-resident of State in which the licensee’s place of business is located

Illegal alien

Dishonorable discharge from U.S. Armed Forces

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Brady Law Most recent federal legislation on gun control

Signed in 1993 with permanent provisions since 1998

Developed National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)

Established for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) to receive instant background checks on eligibility of person purchasing weapon

Searches the buyer’s background for prohibitive criteria

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States Policy Ohio

Cities cannot pass gun control restrictions stricter than the state’s laws

“shall-issue” state

New York Purchaser waiting period is up to 6 months Need both federal and state license Cities cannot pass gun control restrictions stricter than

the state’s laws “may-issue” state

Texas Considering bills to allow guns on college campuses and

guns and ammunitions will be exemptions from taxes “shall-issue” state

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Government Involvement

Federal Government Congress Executive Supreme Court

State Governments

Local Governments

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Federal Government Regulates possession, sale, and transport of

firearms

Places age limits on firearms purchase

Controls interstate firearms trade

Licensing of Dealers

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Congress Firearms Legislation Introduced by the

House and Senate Judiciary Committees House Judiciary subcommittee on Crime,

Terrorism and Homeland Security

Ex: Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

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Enforcement Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms

(ATF) “violent criminals, criminal organizations, the

illegal use and trafficking of firearms, the illegal use and storage of explosives, acts of arson and bombings, acts of terrorism, and the illegal diversion of alcohol and tobacco products”

The Secretary of the Treasury

Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

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Supreme Court Determines if firearms regulations at any

level of government are Constitutional

Based Primarily on the Second Amendment

District of Columbia v. Heller

McDonald et al. v. City of Chicago, Illinois et al.

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State Regulations (Ohio)

No permit is required to purchase a weapon

Age Requirements (18 and 21 to purchase handguns)

Permit for Concealed Carry

2006 law passed by state legislature prevents local governments from enacting stricter gun control laws than the state

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Local and State Firearms Policy (Ohio)

City of Cleveland challenges Ohio law

City contends that high rates of violent crime within city limits make it necessary to implement strict gun control policies

City claims policies are necessary to protect its citizens

City wants to ban assault weapons and prevent citizens from openly carrying weapons

Ohio Supreme Court rules in favor of the state

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Local and National Firearms Policy (Chicago)

City of Chicago goes beyond state ID card requirement and bans handguns within city limits

Challenge to the ban is brought before the U.S. Supreme Court in McDonald et al. v. City of Chicago, Illinois et al.

High Court ruled that the ban was unconstitutional

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Changes in Chicago Policy

As a result of High Court ruling Citizens can only posses firearms within their

homes Firearms Cannot be sold within the city A training course is required for firearms

ownership

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Non-Governmental Actors

Interest groups speak out to be heard by state and federal legislators

Also attempt to gain momentum by persuading the general public

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The Brady Campaign Named after Ex-White House Press

Secretary Jim Brady who survived an assassination attempt

Supports stricter gun control laws (as opposed to a complete gun ban)

A main focus is that criminals can easily access guns

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The Brady Campaign Wants…

Limited number of guns bought per person

Strict background checks to prevent felons and mentally ill from buying guns

Banning powerful military style weapons

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How The Brady Campaign Lobbies Sending recommendations to key policy

makers

Releasing articles to the public

Evaluating the President and releasing a report card on the status of promised gun-violence control laws

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National Rifle Association

NRA – Institute for Legislative Action

Preserving the rights promised by the Second Amendment

Law abiding individuals should be able to purchase and possess firearms

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Ohio Pistol and Rifle Association

Official Ohio Branch of the NRA

Mission is to support firearm owners and protect the Second Amendment rights

Recently, Ohio Gun Control has allowed gun owners to easily possess firearms in their vehicles

Gun owners are now allowed to carry firearms into bars if not consuming alcohol

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Are Gun Laws Effective: Studies

“Guns don’t kill people, People kill people” Cook & Ludwig (2004) USA vs Canada

Kellerman (1996) Increased occurrence of gun related injuries (1992 -

94)

Cummings, Grossman, Rivara and Koepsell (1997) Gun Safety storage laws decreased accidental injuries

by 23% (1990 – 94)

Lott and Whitley (2001) Gun Storage Laws are ineffective

Kwon, Scott, Safranski and Bae (1997) Gun related accidents are more closely linked to other

socioeconomic variables

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Are Gun Laws Effective: Studies

Kwon, Scott, Safranski and Bae (1997) Gun related accidents are more closely linked

to other socioeconomic variables

Lott Mustard (1997) Concealed hand gun laws reduce violent crimes

Dezhbakhsh and Rubin (1998) Contradict Lott and Mustard

Kleck and Hogan (1999) Gun ownership is not linked to homicidal

behavior

Task Force on Community Preventive Services (2003) Ineffectiveness of all regulatory gun laws

• www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyoLuTjguJA

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Alternatives National Rifle Association (NRA)

Stronger Federal Laws Canada Britain

Lott (1997 & 2010)

Cook and Ludwig (2004)

Manhattan Institute Don’t alter existing policies

New York City Boston

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Figures

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Figures

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Statistics Guns Rights:

Total Contribution: $22, 467, 579

Donations to Republicans: $ 19, 195, 400 (85%)

Donations to Democrats: $3, 231, 405 (14%)

Gun Control Donations to Democrats

$1, 776, 310 (94%) Donations to Republicans

$112, 326 (6%) Total contributions

$1, 888, 886

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Statistics Households with a gun:

Percent: 40-45% Number: 47-53 million

Adults owing a gun: Percent: 30-34% Number: 70-80 million

Adults owning a handgun: Percent: 17-19% Number: 40-45 million

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Statistics Percentage owning a firearm:

Households: 42% Individuals: 30% Male: 47% Female: 13% White: 33% Nonwhite: 18% Republican: 41% Independent: 27% Democrat: 23%

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Recommendation Federal act called the National Handgun and

Rifle Act

Legal to carry guns, but stiff fines and jail-time for illegitimate gun possession

Money collected by fines goes to state governments to increase quality of background checks and to create databases of gun owners

Additional money given to local police departments to crack down on gun violence and provide gun education