Making Corporate and Criminal America Less Violent: Public Norms and Structural Reforms

Author: Hagan, J. / Foster, H.
Publication: Contemporary Sociology
Topics: Gun Carrying Homicide International Legislation and Policy Public Health Public Opinion
Keywords: HOMICIDE gun control policy gun violence handguns record checks registration
Bibliographic information +

The authors compare the gun control policies of the U.S. and Canada, arguing that Canada’s restrictive gun control policies as opposed to America’s permissive policies may explain why gun-related homicide rates are higher in the U.S. than in her North American neighbor. The authors suggest that the most significant way to close the gun control gap between the U.S. and Canada is through a process that would change American attitudes towards guns, similar to how public health campaigns have been used to change the nation’s attitudes towards household cleanliness, boiling baby bottles, AIDS, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, seat belts, car seats and bicycle/motorcycle helmets. They advocate educational campaigns to provide widespread national support for expanded police or criminal record checks prior to and registration requirements for gun purchase, paying young people to turn in peers for illegal gun possession and bringing civil suits against corporate gun producers for negligence when, for instance, they make and distribute automatic weapons designed for military use but which are used illegally domestically to injure or kill civilians..