GUN CONTROL 16
Running Head: GUN CONTROL
GUN CONTROL 16
Linda Gonzalez
CRJ-560 Public Policy
Professor Dr. Mathis
Saint Leo University
December 13, 2014
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Acknowledgments —
Abstract iii
List of Tables —
List of Figures —
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY 1
Introduction and Background to the Problem —
Purpose —
Overview of the Research Design —
Hypothesis —
Definition of Terms —
Independent Variable – Corporate Social Responsibility —
Dependent Variable – Reputation Targeting —
Justification —
Delimitations and Scope —
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE, THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK, RESEARCH QUESTIONS, AND HYPOTHESES —
Review of the Literature —
Synopsis of the Literature Review —
Theoretical Framework —
Research Questions —
Hypotheses —
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY —
Research Design —
Population and Sampling Plan —
Target Population —
Accessible Population —
Non-Probability, Purposive Sampling Plan —
Measurement —
Data Analysis —
Procedures: Ethical Considerations and Data Collection Methods —
Evaluation of Research Methods —
Qualitative Methods —
Quantitative Methods —
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS —
Data Producing Sample —
Characteristics of the Measurement Instruments —
Reliability of the — Measure —
Construct Validity of the — —
Research Questions —
RQ 1: —
RQ 2: —
Hypothesis Testing —
H 1: —
H 2: —
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION —Characteristics of the Measurement —
Reliability of the —————- —
Validity of the ——– —
Interpretations —
Research Questions —
Hypotheses —
Practical Implications —
Conclusions —
Limitations —
Recommendations for Future Study —
REFERENCES —
BIBLIOGRAPHY —
APPENDIXES —
Appendix A: —————————————————- —
Appendix B: ————————————————— —
VITA —
Annotated Outline Format
Title Page
Abstract
Table of Contents
Use the sample table of contents provided as a guideline.
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
Introduction and Background to the Problem
· Explain how this topic is related to the learning outcomes outlined in this syllabus and/or to the policy related topics discussed in the textbook of this course
· Explain how the topic is related to criminal justice
Justification
· Explain why this topic is important, and to whom it is important.
· Explain how this research paper will have a practical effect on real world problems.
Delimitations and Scope
· Explain what this study can and cannot do.
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE, THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK, RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND HYPOTHESES
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Synopsis of the Literature Review
Theoretical Framework
Research Questions
Hypotheses
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Procedures: Ethical Considerations and Data Collection Methods
Evaluation of Research Methods
Qualitative Methods
Quantitative Methods
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
Sampling
Characteristics of the Measurement Instruments
Research Questions
Hypothesis Testing
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
Interpretations
Characteristics of the Measurement
Research Questions
Hypotheses
Practical Implications
Conclusions
Limitations
Recommendations for Future Study
REFERENCES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIXES
OUTLINE:
1. ABSTRACT
2. CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
(i) Introduction and Background to the Problem
(ii) Purpose/Justification
(iii) Delimitations and Scope
3. CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE, THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK, RESEARCH QUESTIONS, AND HYPOTHESES
(i) Review of the Literature
(ii) Synopsis of the Literature Review
(iii) Theoretical Framework
(iv) Research Questions
(v) Hypotheses
4. CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
(i) Research Design
(ii) Procedures: Ethical Considerations and Data Collection Methods
(iii) Evaluation of Research Methods
(iv) Qualitative Methods
(v) Quantitative Methods
5. CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
(i) Sampling
(ii) Characteristics of the Measurement Instruments
(iii) Research Questions
(iv) Hypothesis Testing
6. CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
(i) Interpretations
(ii) Practical Implications
(iii) Conclusions
(iv) Limitations
(v) Recommendations for Future Study
REFERENCES
7. Abstract
The purpose of this particular study is to thoroughly discuss the various issues related to gun control in the United States. It will also give a brief history of gun control where different statistics gathered in the course of history will be indicated. This given research and analyses included the use of both qualitative and quantitative data. We should also be in a position to understand that this exacting analysis tends to firmly hold the perception that gun control in the United States will not only remain a rather challenging issue but that more and more individuals will want to own their personal firearms as a way of protecting themselves for the recent rising crime rates.
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
Introduction and Background to the Problem
Gun control is a term used to refer to laws or policies that regulate the use, manufacture, supply, sale, transfer, modification of firearms. Different countries have these policies applied differently, for instance, countries such as the United Kingdom are very strict on gun possession unlike the United States. This means that these gun control policies vary from state to state and country to country (Harcourt, 2006).
The issue of gun control in the United States is seen as a rather menacing one because no permanent solution has yet been found. The culture of gun ownership can be traced back to the initial days of European settlement where those on the frontier owned their individual firearms meant for hunting as well as protecting. One should note that for as long as there have been firearms in the US, there have also been gun laws such as those prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons which were passed in Louisiana and Kentucky way in 1813. This prompted numerous other states to follow suit. It was only last December where 20 children and 6 staff members of a school in Connecticut were shot dead. In the course of the history of gun control in America, there have been many other cases such as this which have been reported on a regular basis by the media. One is left to wonder whether or not the President’s executive power is limited and even if he were to impose stricter gun ownership laws, whether they would minimize the incidents of mass shootings.
Justification
The main issues to be examined is how many people are in possession of firearms and how do they acquire them. Are there laws that restrict the acquisition of these firearms and if they are there, are they being followed? The target population in this particular study will be individuals who have been chosen randomly from different areas of society such as victims of gun crimes within the community, gang members, policy makers and the law enforcement agencies. Different questionnaires as well as interview guides were constructed for these particular groups in order to gather accurate information regarding gun ownership and gun control. The findings from the study were that a majority of American citizens do actually own a personal firearm and there are some who do not have licenses for them.
The findings also indicated that teenagers and younger are the ones that on most occasions are caught in crimes involving guns especially those involved in gangs. The data collected covers the acquisition of raw data via activities such as surveillances, forensics and interviews of discretion. Based on the findings of this research study a number of recommendations for future study have also been made in regards to how crimes related to guns can be prevented.
Delimitations and Scope of Study
Due to the basic fact that this particular study was carried out in the state of Virginia, the delimitations of this study included local and state law enforcement. This was done to get the necessary responses for the questions that were being researched. Additionally, the most recent shootings such as the Navy Yard, Fort Lee, U.S.S. Mahan, and Virginia Tech have happened within close driving distances of the researcher location. Another delimitation is that while conducting this study, the financial costs proved to be quite affordable and thus enabled to make this research comprehensive. It should however be noted that this study cannot solve the problem of gun control in the United States but in retrospect, it may assist law enforcement agencies to better respond and give some comfort to the general public.
CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Review of the Literature
· The Department of Homeland Security has a progress report on the President’s Executive Actions to Reduce Gun Violence. 21 of the 23 executive actions President Obama laid out in January to help reduce gun violence, including guides to help develop high-quality emergency operations plans for K-12 schools, institutions of higher education and houses of worship. The plans have steps ranging from ending the freeze on gun violence research, to addressing barriers that keep states from submitting records to the background check system, to making sure federal law enforcement agencies trace guns recovered in investigations. Doctors and health professionals protect their patients and their safety and confidences. The President took actions to clarify that no federal law prohibits health care providers from reporting threats of violence or talking to their patients about gun safety.
· Critical Issues in Policing Series drafted a document that studied active shooting incidents from the past 15 years, lessons learned, and changes that have been made or need to be made in responding, preventing and reacting. In 1999, two students shot and killed fellow students, a teacher, injuring 12 others and then killing themselves at a high school in Colorado. The shooting prompted new thinking by police departments about how they should respond. More than a decade later, this process of developing new police policies, practices, and training for “active shooter” events is continuing. Various Denver area agencies responded but did not enter the school to stop the shooters for more than 30 minutes. Columbine brought a realization by law enforcement leaders that a much faster response was needed for active-shooter incidents.
· After the 2009 shooting at Fort Hood where 13 people were killed and 43 others were injured, the Defense Secretary Robert Gates established the Department of Defense Independent Review of the incident. All branches of military service, along with civilians and contractor subject matter experts provided members for the board. In January of 2010 the report was released titled “Protecting the force: Lessons learned from Fort Hood”. The Independent Review conducted integrated lines of inquiry. These topics related to identification of internal personnel threats, force protection, emergency response and mass casualty, application of policies and procedures, and the support to Department of Defense healthcare providers.
2.3 Synopsis of the Literature Review
Looking at what has been discussed above, the literature review has highlighted the increased attention that people have drawn to the issue of owning and using guns.
2.4 Theoretical Framework
The issue of terrorism and counterterrorism can be better explained via the Political Theory of Fascism and the Philosophical Theory of Religion. First and foremost fascism may be vaguely defined as a consolidation of an ultra-nationalist ideology which is unwaveringly racist; as the Latin word suggests, fasces generally means to make use of power in order to scare or even impress people. Fascists who are rather frustrated and have failed to gain control in their native countries tend to have historically turned to terrorism. This simply means that in most cases they are likely to turn into domestic terrorists mainly because fascists do not hold a belief system that citizen rights tend to be bestowed purely because someone is the inhabitant of a give country. They also do not hold the belief that all human beings tend to possess equal rights (O’Kane, 2005). On the other hand, the Philosophical Theory of Religion with regards to terrorism take into account the fact that at least a quarter of all the terrorist groups and also about half of the most dangerous terrorist groups on earth are chiefly motivated by diverse religious concerns. This means that they tend to believe that God not only approves of their questionable actions but that God Himself tends to demand their action. With reference to the Al Qaeda terrorist organization, it is somewhat obvious to conclude that these two theories are very much in practice within it.
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
This chapter deals with research methodology and concentrates on the research design, target population, procedures and evaluation of research methods.
3.2 Research Design
This research study employed a cross sectional study where the mixed-mode approaches was utilized. This means that it employed qualitative methods thus ensuring that the research questions are concisely answered. The sample was picked via sample survey research design involving the selection of a representative number of units from the target population so as to make generalizations to the population from which the sample was drawn (Nassar, 2004). This technique proved useful in that it enabled the research to gather the necessary data via the attitudes, values, behavior and views of the respondents.
3.3 Procedures: Ethical Considerations and Data Collection Methods
Keeping in mind that some of the respondents would be of Arabic Muslim origin, ethical considerations were required so as not to appear offensive or racial. Some of the data collection methods that were applied in the course of this research study include the administering of questionnaires and conducting interviews.
3.4 Evaluation of Research Methods
3.4.1 Qualitative Methods
In the course of collecting data for this research, the use of interview guides which tend to give more accurate information which the questionnaires might not have captured or rather were not incorporated.
3.4.2 Quantitative Methods
No quantitative methods were used for this particular research study.
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS
4.1 Sampling
As it had been earlier indicated the sample for this particular research study was done using the simple random sampling methods because it tends to provide each of the total sampling units of the target population an equal and yet known nonzero probability of being selected (Horgan, 2013).
4.2 Characteristics of the Measurement Instruments
The instruments that were used in this research study as it has been mentioned were interviews and questionnaires. The self administered questionnaires had questions that would ensure provision of unbiased information regarding terrorism as well as counterterrorism efforts by the federal government.
Hypothesis Testing
Following the information that was gathered in the course of carrying out the research the hypotheses were tested through the data collection instruments or the measurement instruments and were found to be conclusive.
CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION
5.1 Interpretations
From the research study we can see that not only has terrorism existed for a long time but it is also becoming more and more complicated particularly for the federal agencies trying to address the situation. The two theories mentioned in the theoretical framework tend to also play a huge role in determining whether or not one will take part in a terrorist attack or join a terrorist group. They also determine why one is participating in a terrorist organization in terms of their religious beliefs, values and attitudes towards politics.
5.2 Practical Implications
As we can see from the study which we have conducted, a myriad practical implications or rather suggestions may be derived from it. This is to say that by utilizing this piece of research the necessary law enforcement agencies may be able to predict and/or refer to the historical acts of terrorism which took place within and without the United States government. It is therefore safe to say that this research may be used as a tool which enables one to stay attuned with the past as well as the future trends of global terrorism.
The main issue that leads to any government to have policies to regulate manufacture and acquisition of firearms is insecurity. Proponents of these policies argue that there are widespread dangers that come with ownership of firearms. Some of these dangers include, suicide, gun injuries, robbery and other issues related to gun injuries. Opponents on the other hand, argue that, these polies established under the gun control do not reduce the murders, suicide, robberies and other gun related injuries.
Relation to learning outcomes
This topic is related to criminal justice because most crimes committed are done using guns and most killings occur again by use of guns. If only it was possible to effectively control the manufacture and acquisition of guns then the rate of insecurity will be lower. Gun violence can also be reduced if gun control policies are effective in a state where such violence are common.
Relation to criminal Justice
Criminal justice deals with upholding social control and mitigating crimes. Having gun control policies is one of the ways that can be used to reduce crime and uphold social control. These policies will also state the form of punishment an offender is to get, if they break the gun control laws which are another function criminal justice (LaFollette, 2001).
5.3 Conclusions
The following can be drawn from the study:
· Most terrorist organizations tend to concentrate their acts on the allies of the United States government and as a result they end up as being collateral damage in a fight which they never orchestrated or rather knew anything about.
· There is a relationship between fascism and terrorism and this has long been used as a tool to instill fear into the general populace.
5.4 Limitations
Some of the limitations of this research study were that some of the respondents were not willing to provide any information regarding the subject matter. This was perhaps in fear of the implications, if any that would follow them were they to reveal any damning revelations.
5.5 Recommendations for Future Study
Further research can be carried out on: –
(a) Factors that contribute to terrorism
(b) The theories of Criminology with regards to terrorism
(c) The social implications of terrorism to the global community
References
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