Increased mass shootings in America make it a crucial matter for demanding state solutions. Mass shootings remain one of the serious issues in American society as the number of mass shootings increased significantly in recent years. The issue of mass shootings reflects the need for devising strategies that lead to the solution of problems. Three main problems highlighted in the paper include the least restrictive laws, the psychological profile of shooters, and the lack of education regarding the removal of mass shootings. To overcome the issue of mass shootings, the state needs to formulate solutions.
Least restrictive strategies undermine the ability of security forces to control mass shootings. The prevalence of least restrictive gun control laws remains a major threat faced by the state. Lenient gun policies allow the masses to keep guns for self-defense, which intensifies the situation for controlling gun-related crimes. Many states in America allow carrying hidden, loaded guns for self-defense. Laws prevail that support holding concealed weapons. The states, including Kansas, Vermont, South Dakota, and Alaska, permit students to carry weapons at institutes. The problem is also visible due to limited laws such as security background checks. The failure of the least restrictive laws is apparent in weakened security. Policy analysts identify weak gun control laws as the primary reason behind increased mass shootings in America (Fox & Savage, 2009).
The central cause behind the Parkland shootings in Florida was easy access to guns. Buying a semiautomatic gun in America is easy due to state laws. A recent trend depicts a “9-year-old former student of the school was legally able to buy the AR-15 rifle he allegedly used to perpetrate the shooting that left at least 17 dead and 14 injured” (Taylor & Hanbury, 2018). The facts reveal that gun control laws are inefficient in America and provide increased opportunities for mass shootings (Taylor & Hanbury, 2018).
The psychological profile and ill-mental state of the shooters pose risks for the American state. Empirical evidence depicts that the majority of the offenders involved in mass shootings display an ill mental state. Disturbed mental conditions of the shooters motivate them towards deadly crimes, including mass killings. Deprivations and connections of shooters with poor socio-economic backgrounds remain a common motivator of crimes. Feelings of aggression and delusion influence the actions of offenders, and they are unable to exhibit self-control (Follman, Aronsen, & Pan, 2012).
The paper uncovers the psychological problems encountered by the offenders as they suffer the problems of isolation and social detachment from society. The evidence suggests that social isolation and demographic factors influence the behaviors of offenders. The research studies also depict that the police department lacks information about the psychological profile of gun holders. The mental attitudes of offenders have a significant role in their aggression and crimes (McGinty, Webster, & Barry, 2013).
Weaker school policy reforms increase the threat of mass shootings. American schools encounter the problem of mass shootings due to weakened internal policies that emphasize maintaining security. The least restrictive school laws regarding security provide an opportunity for the students to associate themselves with the killings. School and college administration neglects the significance of adopting strict gun laws that result in deteriorated interior defense. The schools ignore their roles in educating students and promoting safety. The negligent role played by schools and colleges increases the risk of mass shootings. Facts also reveal that irrespective of the increased mass shootings, the institutions take no action and rely on the state (Fox & Savage, 2009).
Adoption of strict gun control laws limits access to firearms, thus minimizing the threats of mass shootings. The primary solution emphasizes the state’s role of employing strict gun control laws to restrict citizens’ possession of firearms. The recommendation suggests
Limiting access to firearms for citizens with disturbed mental states leads to reduced threats of mass shootings. To support the suggestion, the paper identifies the pulse nightclub shootings. Minimizing access of citizens to guns will eliminate the opportunities for engaging in offensive acts of mass shootings (Taylor & Hanbury, 2018). The strict laws focus on presenting warnings to society to minimize the role of offensive acts. Through strict punishments, the state can maintain pressures on the gun holders that will prevent them from engaging in criminal acts (Stone, 2018).
Effective parental engagement allows security agencies to identify the youth involved in the abuse of guns. Through information obtained from family members of parents, the security agencies would target the offenders to minimize the risks of mass shootings. Parents’ engagement in law enforcement-related measures would allow agencies to take action in anticipation. Warnings provided by parents about the offensive behaviors of their children will permit the security department to keep an eye on the gun owner and mitigate the risks of any shooting incident (Taylor & Hanbury, 2018).
Keeping a record of the psychological profile of gun holders provides an efficient solution to control mass shootings. The solution suggests checking the psychological status of the gun buyers during the time they make purchases. The state can take strict actions in restricting the sale of guns to citizens who exhibit disturbed mental states. Preventing access to guns and firearms to psychologically ill citizens will eliminate the risks of mass shootings (McGinty, Webster, & Barry, 2013). The paper proposes the solution of keeping a record of gun owners and assessing the role of a psychological profile. Security agencies can view the profile of gun holders to mitigate the risks of any adverse event (Fox & Savage, 2009).
Through counseling and interactive sessions with the counselors, the schools can minimize opportunities for students’ engagement in offensive conduct. The study further proposes the solution of providing counseling services to students at schools. It states that schools and colleges have the responsibility to control the issue of mass shootings and to provide a secure learning environment for students. Through effective counseling, psychologists can uncover disturbed mental conditions and personal issues of the students. Counseling and coaching allow schools to change the aggressive and nonproductive attitudes of adolescents. Bullying advocates also remain part of the counseling process as it allows them to explore the complex behavioral attributes of the students (McGinty, Webster, & Barry, 2013).
Adopting enhanced security settings in high-risk areas is an effective strategy to minimize the risks of mass shootings. The solution proposes the employment of strict security parameters such as security guards, security checks, and alerts to mitigate the future possibilities of mass shootings. Allowing teachers to declare firearms in intense situations is also an appropriate strategy to eliminate the adversities of mass shootings. Providing firearms to the teachers will threaten the shooters about their safety and may discourage their offensive attitudes (Chapman, Alpers, Agho, & Jones, 2006).
Though mass shootings remain one of the critical problems faced by the American state, the adoption of effective security measures eliminates the potential risks. The paper identifies the common problems associated with mass shootings, including weaker gun control laws, failure to maintain psychological profiles of gun owners, and weakened role of educational institutions. The appropriate solutions for dealing with the problem of mass shootings involve the adoption of strict gun control laws and limiting the access of citizens to firearms. Maintaining records of the psychological profile of gun holders will reveal information about the potential threats. Education and counseling in school settings also prevent mass shootings.
References
Azab, M. (2018, February 23). Preventing Mass Shootings: Examining Solutions. Retrieved April 11, 2018, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/201802/preventing-mass-shootings-examining-solutions
Chalasani, R. (2016, June 15). Death by gun: Top 20 states with highest rates. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/death-by-gun-top-20-states-with-highest-rates/16/
Chapman, S., Alpers, P., Agho, K., & Jones, M. (2006). Australia’s 1996 gun law reforms: faster falls in firearm deaths, firearm suicides, and a decade without mass shootings. BMJ, 12 (6).
Fox, J. A., & Savage, J. (2009). Mass Murder Goes to College An Examination of Changes on College Campuses Following Virginia Tech. American Behavioral Scientist, 52 (10).
Follman, M., Aronsen, G., & Pan, D. (2012). A Guide to Mass Shootings in America. Mother Jones.
McGinty, E. E., Webster, D. W., & Barry, C. L. (2013). Effects of News Media Messages About Mass Shootings on Attitudes Toward Persons With Serious Mental Illness and Public Support for Gun Control Policies. The American Journal of Psychiatry.
Stone, B. (2018). Here are the gun laws for all 50 states in the U.S. Retrieved 04 18, 2018, from https://www.dailydot.com/layer8/gun-laws-by-state/
Taylor, K., & Hanbury, M. (2018). Here’s how easy it is to legally buy a semiautomatic gun in the US. Retrieved 04 18, 2018, from http://www.businessinsider.sg/how-to-buy-a-gun-2017-10/
