Part 3 is when you will begin drafting and giving each other feedback on your Final Projects. By now, you should have plenty of resources, pros and cons for the different arguments related to your top

Proposed Solution to Gun Violence: Universal Background Checks

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Institution

Date

1. What is the solution you have found, and why have you selected it?

One of the most widely discussed and evidence-based solutions to gun violence is the implementation of universal background checks (UBCs) for all firearm sales, including private and online transactions. I selected this solution because prior studies indicated that stringent background check systems reduce the ability of those who should not access firearms to get them, such as a convict or a man who has a record of domestic violence. States with universal background checks have a lower homicide and suicide rate regarding firearms than states with weaker background check requirements in general (Kaufman et al., 2020). The American people, and particularly the gun owners, support UBCS because it is a common-sense reform meant to strengthen public security.

2. How does this solution attempt to address the problem that you stated in Part 1 of the Capstone Project?

This solution directly speaks to the failure that I expounded on in Part 1: the lack of difficulty that people undergo when purchasing guns, even if they are dangerous. The current background check practice applies only to firearms sold by federally licensed dealers, while those purchased from a private seller, at gun shows, or through the Internet are exempt from this system in many states. This is a loophole that allows firearms to be acquired without much scrutiny, which is one way of triggering more violence.

Universal background checks would eliminate this gap in the current legislation so that every firearm buyer would be required to endure the same rigorous check wherever they are (Schell et al., 2024). Preventing banned people from accessing firearms may also help minimize people’s ability to get their hands on these weapons. It may help lower the gun-related murder rates, suicides, and mass shootings at UBCs.

3. What type of evidence is available in your resource (or what other information would you need to know) in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution?

The range and scope of evidence indicate that background check propositions that expand background check requirements are effective. According to the study Gun Safety, states with UBC laws experienced lower murder rates and fewer police officers shot dead when engaged in their duties, meaning that more stringent background check laws reduce the rate of firearm fatalities per population (Siegel, 2024). Nonetheless, more information is needed to determine the size of the impact universal background checks would make. Information on the influence of how UBCs interact with other gun laws, including red flag laws, may elucidate whether integrating both policies is more effective than implementing the former. Enforcement mechanisms must be implemented since background checks depend on compliance, implementation, and the capacity to sanction the violators.

References

Kaufman, E. J., Morrison, C. N., Olson, E. J., Humphreys, D. K., Wiebe, D. J., Martin, N. D., ... & Seamon, M. J. (2020). Universal background checks for handgun purchases can reduce homicide rates of African Americans. Journal of trauma and acute care surgery, 88(6), 825-831.

Schell, T. L., Smart, R., Cefalu, M., Griffin, B. A., & Morral, A. R. (2024). State policies regulating firearms and changes in firearm mortality. JAMA Network Open, 7(7), e2422948. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.22948

Siegel, M. (2024). Universal background checks, permit requirements, and firearm homicide rates. JAMA network open, 7(8), e2425025-e2425025.