Policy analysis
SAMPLE ANSWER…DO NOT COPY……………
Apply the procedures for argumentation analysis (located in Chapter 8) to display contending positions and underlying assumptions for the content of Review Question 1.
The procedures for argumentation analysis have seven elements: claim, information, warrant, qualifiers, backing, objections, and rebuttal. The purpose of argumentation analysis is to uncover the logical structure of the argument, identify unstated assumptions, evaluate the support an argument offers for a conclusion, and aid understanding of debates.
A current issue that is top of the news in public policy is “GUN CONTROL”. The United States legislature continues to debate abilities to produce a desired or intended result and constitutionality of federal regulation of firearms and ammunition. Various federal laws have been enacted since 1934 to promote such regulation. “The National Firearms Act of 1934, enacted to curb Prohibition-era crime by taking certain lethal weapons out of the hands of gangsters — congressional action on gun control has peaked following prominent acts of violence” (Gun Violence Prevention 2013).
Gun control advocates such as the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) argue that they curb access by criminals, juveniles, and other "high-risk" individuals. They contend that only federal measures can successfully reduce the availability of guns. Some seek broad policy changes such as near-prohibition of non-police handgun ownership or the registration of all firearm owners or firearms. They assert that there is no constitutional barrier to such measures and no significant social costs. Others advocate less comprehensive policies that they maintain would not impede ownership and legitimate firearm transfers.
Opposition to federal controls is strong. Gun control opponents like the National Rifle Association deny that federal policies keep firearms out of the hands of critical-risk persons; rather, they argue, controls often create complications for law-abiding citizens and infringe upon their constitutional rights provided by the Second Amendment. Some argue further that widespread gun ownership is one of the best deterrents to crime as well as to potential tyranny, whether by gangs or by government. They may also criticize the notion of enhancing federal, as opposed to state, police powers.
Rate the assumptions and plot them according to their plausibility and importance. (Refer to Figure 3.16, “Distribution of warrant by plausibility and importance.”)
Determine which arguments are the most plausible. Provide a rationale for your views.
The most plausible arguments is that of the National Rifle Association Stakeholder. “Supporters of gun control say that the strength of the National Rifle Association in many states makes it nearly impossible to even discuss laws targeting illegal guns” (Schwartz 2008). The powerful group has about 4 million members nationwide, a $20 million to $30 million lobbying budget, and a strong youth group rising a new generation of members.
The National Rifle Association has taken center stage as the main opponent of the White House's plan to enact new gun control mechanisms at the federal level. A review of the NRA legislation news page has shown that the organization has had at least 230 full legislative victories on the state level in the past ten years alone. And also, looking at the data collected about legislation that was signed into law, states passed an average of 4.8 NRA-backed laws since 2003.
4. Apply the procedures for stakeholder analysis presented in Box 3.0 “Conducting a Stakeholder Analysis” to generate a list of stakeholders who affect or are affected by problems in the issue area chosen for analysis.
American Firearms Association: According to Jeff Pasternack, president & CEO for the American Firearms Association; “We are a grass roots organization that began three years ago in reconciling the 2nd amendment with common sense”. The American Firearms Association neither affiliates itself with the National Rifle Association or the Handgun Control, Inc.; but admitted that some of their views coincide with both the NRA and HCI. Basically, the American Firearms Association stands a neutral ground when it comes to guns control here in the U.S.
Opponents:
Proponents: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and national Rifle Association.
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence: A day after Obama’s announcement, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence got into the fray by attacking a Georgia Democratic congressman on his ties to the National Rifle Association and his opposition to Obama’s gun legislation. The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence believes that the gun shows allows criminals and other prohibited purchasers to buy guns from unlicensed dealers at these events without undergoing background checks.
Opponents: National Rifle Association.
Proponents: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence: The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence works to pass, enforce, and protect sensible laws and public policy that address gun violence at the federal and state level. We do this by engaging and activating the American public, electing officials who support common sense gun laws, and increasing public awareness of gun violence. Through our advocacy campaigns and Million Mom March and Brady Chapters, we work locally to educate people about the risks of gun ownership, honor victims of gun violence, and pass sensible gun laws. The Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence develops and implements extensive public health and safety programs and utilizes the courts to reduce gun violence. Through our Legal Action Project, we represent victims of gun violence in cases against irresponsible gun sellers and owners. Through our public health and safety programs, we inspire safer attitudes and behaviors around the 300 million guns already in our homes and communities and new gun purchases taking place every day.
Opponents: National Rifle Association.
Proponents: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
National Rifle Association: The National Rifle Association (NRA) sells everything from its political agenda to its merchandise with a simple equation: more guns equal more freedom. Such view, unfettered access to firearms is the key ingredient to protecting individual rights from overreaching by government. The NRA argues that the only way to keep centralized authority in check is to ensure that individual citizens retain the capability to confront the government with force of arms. As NRA CEO Wayne LaPierre has said, “The people have a right to take whatever measures necessary, including force, to abolish oppressive government.”
Opponents: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Coalition to Stop Gun Violence, and national Rifle Association.
Proponents: American Firearms Association.
Create a cumulative frequency distribution from the list, placing stakeholders (numbered 1
–
n) on the horizontal axis; placing the number of new ideas generated by each stakeholder; and then connecting the total new ideas of each stakeholder with a line graph. (Note: The ideas may be objectives, alternatives, outcomes causes, etc.; ideas should not be duplicates.
Write an analysis of the results of the frequency distribution that answers the following questions: (a) Does the line graph flatten out? (b) If so, after how many stakeholders? (c) What conclusions can be drawn about the policy problems in the issue area?
In this exercise, the line graph didn’t flatten. In terms of the policy problems in regards to “gun control” is expected to be a two side thing. In order to fully exploit national sentiment, there are currently various bills before the 113th Congress to strengthen gun control. President Obama is trying to make progress on this front through both signing 23 executive orders and promoting a plan focused on “universal background checks for all gun buyers, a crackdown on gun trafficking, a ban on military-style assault weapons, and a ban on ammunition magazines holding more than 10 bullets,” according to the Washington Post. However, his plan’s prospects seem grim in the face of Congress which, predictably, is focused on halting its progress.
In response to these initiatives, both the executive orders and Obama’s proposed plan, there has been an outcry from Congressional Republicans, either decrying Obama as a tyrant or yelling at him for trying to take away their guns. Congress’s stubborn adherence to the principle of no progress as being better than compromise is sickening, and this gun debate may be the last issue on which they can pull it off.
References:
Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. (2013). Guns, Demoncracy, and Freedom. Retrieved on May 9,
2013; from: http://www.csgv.org/issues-and-campaigns/guns-democracy-and-freedom
Gun Violence Prevention. (2013). Congressional Digest, 92(3), 1.
Schwartz, E. (2008). In Congress, the Uphill Battle for Gun Control. U.S. News & World
Report, 144(8), 41-43.
The Washington Post. (2013). Obama’s far-reaching gun-proposals face uncertain fate in divided
Congress. Retrieved on May 10, 2013; from: http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-01-
16/politics/36384024_1_gun-violence-gun-buyers-universal-background-checks
