Numerous countries such as the United States have an enormous gun violence-related problem. For instance, the population of individuals shot and died due to gun violence surpasses the sum of all American combat deaths both in the first and Second World War. Moreover, the population exceeds the number of deaths that resulted from the Korea and Vietnam conflict. However, little actions have been taken to improve the porous federal gun statutes in New Jersey since the year 1996 despite the escalating populace killed and injured due to mass shootings (Webster, Daniel and Vernick 1). Contrarily, the American Congress has significantly debilitated the federal gun regulations by offering the gun companies protection from most of the lawsuits and deterring the provision of crime gun trace records. As such, the reduction of gun violence in the communities can play a major role in deterring deaths and suicides enhanced by gun possession.
Ways of Reducing Gun Violence in the Communities
Reducing Easy Acquisition of Guns by Individuals at High Risk of Involving in Violence. The authorities need to create strategies to curb gun acquisition by a group of people that are at a higher risk of being involved in gun conflicts. Studies indicate that individuals with a past record of family conflicts, misdemeanor sentences for crimes of violence are at the greatest risk of engaging in violence if they acquire firearms (Bieler et al 13). Therefore, the implemented policies can deter access to guns in two different ways: preventing the transfer of guns from lawful to illegitimate users and hindering groups at a vaster risk of involving in crime from buying firearms.
Preventing the Diversion of Guns
Curbing the different channels used to transfer firearms from legal to unlawful users will make it difficult for individuals at a greater risk of committing a crime to possess the weapon. Some of the strategies that can be initiated include a mandatory universal background check that will help in reducing the number of firearms directed for wrong use both within and outside the community (Bieler et al 14). Equally, making reporting of stolen or lost guns compulsory and enacting laws that require a person to have a license of ownership will also lower the level of firearm diversion.
Increasing the Number of Individual Prevented from Buying Firearms to Entail those at a Greater Risk of Conflict
The federal statutes integrated into all the fifty states including New Jersey averts gun possession by individuals that have been previously charged with felonies or offenses relating to domestic violence. Studies indicate that prohibiting people involved in domestic violence from acquiring firearms helps in lowering the degree of gun homicide. However, most of the states such as New Jersey only restrict persons that have been in domestic conflicts from having firearms. This excludes populace affianced to domestic abuse on their dating partners, hence, can result in gun crimes (Bieler et al 16). Therefore, the federal government needs to incorporate these types of groups in the list of the populace hindered from acquiring firearms.
Enhance Relationship between the Police and Communities of Color in New Jersey. Police have a key responsibility of responding and averting firearm violence, thus, needs to be understood as the legal authority within the societies they operate. The validity is a significant constituent of a cooperative police-community relation that certainly assists in lowering and averting violence. Various techniques can be integrated to improve the relations such as implementing procedural justice and implicit prejudice, developing numerous channels for police-community partnership, and creating systems that promote officers accountability. Consequently, for the police to be effective in their services they need to recognize their community buildup (Bieler et al 18). This ensures the police department replicates the diversity of the New Jersey city which will aid the officers in determining the different perspectives they might encounter in their work.
Variations in Firearms. This technique is an important factor in preventing the escalating cases of gun violence in New Jersey since a better weapon would help in decreasing the cost of family protection while enhancing the benefits. For instance, the use of personalized firearms makes it challenging for unapproved personnel to operate the weapons. Therefore, acquiring such kind of firearms as opposed to normal guns not only decreases the possibility of injuries, shootings, and theft but also prevents criminals from using police guns. A research of unintentional gun mortalities reported that 37 percent of the deaths could have been avoided by the smart guns (Hemenway 11). Consequently, it is projected that over 500,000 weapons are stolen from private individuals yearly an incident that can be averted by the integration of smart firearms.
Capitalizing on Evidence-Based Social Provision Strategies. Firearm violence is an indication of a significant economic and social problems resulting from disinvestment in the societies of color within New Jersey. As such, curbing gun-related conflicts needs to incorporate the economic and social encounters faced by the populace at the highest risk of engaging in gunfights. Embarking in the evidence-based service activities not only lowers the level of gun engagements and recidivism but also enhance people’s capability to contribute effectively to the development of their communities. Integrating programs that change the behaviors of the people believed to be at risk of committing violence also aid in averting gun homicides (Bieler et al 24). Equally, the community needs to be informed on the dangers of unlawful acquisition of guns to help curb the menace.
Enhancing Cross-Sector Partnership. Curbing the increasing level of firearm violence entails a diverse array of shareholders such as the communities, police officers, judiciary, and non-profit organizations. Therefore, a partnership among these agencies is beneficial in the reduction of gun violence (Bieler et al 27). However, for a successful outcome, the collaboration needs to be based on a coordinated approach through a developed strategic plan and records from different sources to determine the perpetrators of weapon engagements.
The number of deaths resulting from gun homicides and suicides in America is greater than the mortalities experienced during World War 1 and that which occurred during Korea Vietnam war. Little actions have been taken to deter the increasing level of firearm violence since the American Congress has significantly protected the gun companies from various lawsuits. Therefore, numerous strategies can be used to curb gun violence menace such as preventing the easy acquisition of weapons by individuals at a greater risk of being engaged in domestic abuse. Equally, promoting the use of smart guns, teaching of the communities on the dangers of illegal possession of guns, and partnering with different stakeholders significantly assist in decreasing gun killing.
Works Cited
Bieler, Sam, et al. “Engaging communities in reducing gun violence.” Washington, DC: Urban Institute (2016).
Hemenway, David. Private guns, public health. University of Michigan Press, 2017.
Webster, Daniel W., and Jon S. Vernick. Updated evidence and policy developments on reducing gun violence in America. JHU Press, 2014.