Policy Analysis

Outline

Historical Background of Policy: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2019

  1. Historical background of gun violence prevention research

                        i.          In the past 3 years there has been 4 mass shootings in Texas alone.

      ii.   Most of the shootings can be linked to hate crimes.

  • Congressional History of policy
  • Need for the policy

Policy Description

  1. Purpose of the policy
    1. Mass shootings
    1. Gun violence: hate crimes, domestic violence, school shootings
    1. Who will the policy effect
      1. Texas citizens (short term)
      1. Nation wide (long term)
    1. Expected goals of the policy
      1. Gun violence policies
      1. Prevent violence on innocent citizens
    1. Agency with overall responsibility
      1. Center for Disease Control (CDC)

Problem Description

  1. Cause of problem
    1. Multiple mass shooting
    1. Domestic violence
  2. Policy effect on problem
    1. Research to solve problem
  3. Who is affected by policy
    1. Texas citizens

Policy Evaluation

  1. NASW standards/ policy
    1. Help people in need
    1. Challenge social injustice
    1. Promote the wellbeing of clients
  2. Legal system surrounding policy
    1. Congress- house of rep
  3. Contribution to greater social equality
    1. Ensuring citizen safety
    1. Preventing gun violence

Historical Background of Policy

 Texas has always been a pro-gun state. Only in the few past years has this ever created a problem. There have been four mass shootings in the past three years (www.dallasnews.com). Recently gun violence has become a major problem there is no gun policies in place. In order for one to own a gun one has to be licensed to carry. Texas has prided itself in being amongst one of the safer states to live. Senator Ted Cruz has fought against revoking the right to own firearms. Ted Cruz has expressed that gun owners are not the issue. Instead guns in the wrong hands are the real issue according to The Daily Signal news. This may have some truth to it but there are always exceptions to the rule. One mass shooter, Seth Ator, was denied the right to buy firearms due to a mental illness. Yet he found a loophole in the gun laws of Texas and purchased privately (www.nypost.com). There is currently no law against selling guns privately or at gun shows to unlicensed citizens. At least not in Texas. This policy will allow Center for Disease Control (CDC) to run research. The CDC will search for new innovative ways to prevent gun violence. This policy was introduced by the House of Representatives, and then referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce (HCEC). As of lately, the HCEC referred it to the Subcommittee on Health.

Policy Description

The policy will grant permission and provide the CDC funding towards research. This research on gun violence prevention will provide new innovative solutions (www.congress.gov). This policy is necessary to provide a solution that will ensure public safety. In short term, the policy will research ways to prevent gun violence in Texas. In long term, the policy provides public safety throughout the US. As of right now, this policy is only in its beginning stages. The policy will provide the CDC with fifty million dollars of funding. This money will be allotted for each of the fiscal years 2020 through 2025 (www.govtrack.us). Research is necessary in order to acquire scientific grounding on the policy, ultimately leading Texas in a direction that will allow citizens to feel safe again. 

Problem Description

There have been mass shootings all over the United States. In the past two years there have been four mass shootings in Texas alone, with a death toll of sixty-nine innocent people (www.dallasnews.com). This is an issue being faced by all the citizens of the US. There is no way of knowing when the next mass shooting will happen. Nor will we know where, therefore, it is crucial to stop gun violence now. The problem is gun owners refuse to give up their rights to carry. Some citizens feel all guns need to be confiscated to promote safety. Citizens on both sides are upset and unwilling to accept the opposite view. Therefore, we need to find a happy medium. One where we can feel safe without overturning the second amendment.  

Policy Evaluation

The CDC will be the agency in charge of the research and handling the funding. Since CDC is a government funded organization it must follow US laws. Funding can be pulled if the CDC violates any laws or regulations. Public safety is the main goal for the government of the US. Safety is the only way citizens will remain productive in society. Without safety most would fear leaving their homes. Thus, resulting in an unproductive society which would cause a negative effect. This will not be beneficial for the government or society. Therefore, it is in the government’s best interest to pass this policy.

For social workers it is our duty to protect people, especially our clients. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) created ethics social workers must follow. NASW main principle goal for social workers is to help people in need. Therefore, there is a need to fight for this policy. The people of Texas should feel safe when they leave their homes. Not live in fear of being shot when in public. Texas currently have laws and regulations against buying a firearm without a license. Although there is no law prohibiting personal sales to unlicensed buyers. This is the kind of loophole, shooter Seth Ator, used to purchase firearms (www.nypost.com). Since he was denied a gun license in the past due to mental illness. This policy will help close loopholes and make it difficult for guns to get into the wrong hands.   

References

Brown, L. (2019, September 4). Texas shooter Seth Ator used loophole to get AR-style gun: report. Retrieved October 16, 2019, from https://nypost.com/2019/09/04/texas-shooter-seth-ator-used-loophole-to-get-ar-style-gun-report/.

Comprehensive Older Americans Services Amendments (1973 – S. 50). Retrieved from

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/93/s50

Eagleton, & F., T. (1973, May 3). Titles – S.50 – 93rd Congress (1973-1974): An Act to strengthen and improve the Older Americans Act

of 1965, and for other purposes. Retrieved from https://www.congress.gov/bill/93rd-congress/senate-bill/50/titles?q={“search”:[“elderly”]}&r=1&s=8

Karger, H. J., & Stoesz, D. (2018). American social welfare policy: a pluralist approach. NY,      

            NY: Pearson.

H.R. 674: Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2019. (2019, January 17). Retrieved from

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/hr674/text.

N. A. S. W. (2017). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

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