Gun violence in the United States remains a critical public safety issue, causing significant loss of life and economic strain. This paper explores the complex roots of American gun dependency, focusing on its historical, cultural, psychological, and socio-political dimensions. By examining the enduring influence of the Second Amendment, media portrayal, and gun lobbying, the study reveals the deep entrenchment of gun culture. Despite these challenges, the analysis underscores the feasibility and necessity of reform. Drawing on successful international models, including those in Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Norway, the paper offers targeted recommendations for U.S. policymakers. These include promoting non-lethal self-defense, reassessing civilian armament, reforming police weaponry, and tightening regulations on straw purchases. The urgency of comprehensive reform is highlighted by the tragic incident at Robb Elementary School, illustrating the human cost of inaction. The findings suggest that, through collective effort, the U.S. can achieve significant reductions in gun violence.
Cite this paper
Novruzov, S. (2024). Comprehensive Analysis of Gun Dependency and Reform: Historical, Cultural, Economic, and Psychological Perspectives in the United States. Open Access Library Journal, 11, e2122. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1112122.
Gramlich, J. (2023, April 26) What the Data Says about Gun Deaths in the U.S. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/
26/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-u-s/
O’Neill, A. (2024, July 4) The 20 Countries with the Largest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/268173/countries-with-the-largest
-gross-domestic-product-gdp/#:~:text=In%202024%2C%20the%20United%20States,a
round%2018.5%20trillion%20U.S.%20dollars
Parker, K., Horowitz, J.M., Igielnik, R., Oliphant, B.J. and Brown, A. (2017, June 22) America’s Complex Relationship with Guns. An In-Depth Look at the Attitudes and Experiences of U.S. Adults. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2017/06/22/americas-complex-relationship-with-guns/
Aoki, M. (2017, October 3) Strict Gun Laws Mean Japan Sees Fewer Shooting Deaths. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/10/03/national/strict-gun-laws-mean-japan-sees-fewer-shooting-deaths/
Weller, C., De Luce, I., Aydin, R., Balevic, K. and Gray, S. (2022, July 5) The July 4 Highland Park Shooting Was One of 314 Mass Shootings in the US This Year. Here Are 5 Countries That Have Taken Radical Steps to Eliminate Firearm Deaths. https://www.businessinsider.com/gun-deaths-nearly-eliminated-in-countries-what-us-can-learn-2017-11#norway-exemplifies-the-power-of-social-cohesion-and-trust-3
Godin, M. (2020, June 19) What the U.S. Can Learn from Countries Where Cops Don’t Carry Guns. https://time.com/5854986/police-reform-defund-unarmed-guns/
Schaeffer, K. (2021, September 13) Key Facts about Americans and Guns. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/09/13/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/
Goodwin, C. (2009, June 28) America’s Own Robin Hood the Dillinger Legend. https://www.thetimes.com/article/americas-own
-robin-hood-the-dillinger-legend-ljr06mj88z8
Van Sant, W. (2022, May 31) NRA Member Revenue Plummets to 15-Year Low. https://www.thetrace.org/2022/05/nra-member-dues-reven
ue-decline-houston/#:~:text=The%20annual%20rep
ort%20put%20total,2020%2C%20a%2014%20percent%20drop
Spaulding, S. and Littlewood, J. (2024) Power Shift: How People Can Take on the NRA Report. https://www.commoncause.org/resource/power-shift-how-people-can-take-on-the-nra-report/#
Gobbo, A. (2023, July 18) The Economic Costs of Gun Violence in the United States. https://equitablegrowth.org/the-economic-costs-of-gun-violence-in-the-united-states/
Estes, C. (2020, February 17) The Happy Gun Owner? Research Suggests Otherwise. https://www.forbes.com/sites/claryestes/2020/02/17/the-happy-gun-owner-research-suggests-otherwise/
Pierre, J.M. (2018, March 1) Worshipping the AR-15: Cult, Church, or the American Way? https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/psych-unseen/201803/worshipping-the-ar-15-cult-church-or-the-american-way
Levinson-King, R. and Bailey, C. (2022, September 28) Mass Shootings: What Are the Warning Signs and Could They Help Prevent Another Parkland? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62683094
Abadi, M., Pasley, J., Ardrey, T. and Goodwin, G.E. (2023, January 23) The 30 Deadliest Mass Shootings in Modern US History Include Monterey Park and Uvalde. https://www.businessinsider.com/deadliest-mass-shootings-in-us-history-2017-10
City of Detroit City Council (2023, April 21) Legal Guns and Illegal Guns Study. https://detroitmi.gov/sites/detroitmi.localhost/files/2023-04/legal%20guns%20and%20illegal%20guns%20study.pdf
