America’s Gun
Problem
Issue:
In the video, America’s gun problem, there are a serious of
charts and narrative explaining how our country has come to the current state
we are in related to the amount of Guns, number of homicides, suicides, and
mass shootings. Please watch the video here: http://www.vox.com/2015/10/3/9444417/gun-violence-united-states-america
Service Delivery
Gun laws and Gun control is a very controversial issue in the
United States right now. Whether you are for or against gun control in this
Country, one thing for sure is that we have a serious issue and as shown in the
video numbers do not lie. I think this issue should be addressed on a variety
of levels and through many different facets.
1.
Locally or in the home: Discuss with your family and spouse
about Guns, if you do have one in the home I strongly suggest having everyone
in the home know how to safely use one and secure it in a safe.
2.
Through the mental health perspective.
a.
The amount of gun suicides in this country is astounding, it is
our responsibility as a Country and a people to address this issue. We will
discuss further ideals and proposals for this topic in the policy portion of
the blog.
3.
State wide
a.
As a possible gun owner or just to be aware you should know your
state laws about guns. How easily can they be bought or accessed? What are the
carrying laws? Virginia is a conceal and carry state. For more information on
gun laws in the state of Virginia, please check out http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms.shtm
4.
Nationally
a.
Nationally and socially we have a serious problem, mass
shootings (4 or more individuals killed in
a single event) have occurred more and more frequently in recent years. With
the current election coming up, gun control is a significant topic and before
choosing the next American President it is important to know where they stand
on the issues. Please go to http://www.ontheissues.org/Gun_Control.htm
and see for yourself where the candidates fall on this important issue.
Policy
In my opinion we need a complete overhaul on gun control and
mental health reform in this country. My proposal is as follows:
·
1. Anyone buying a gun will have a ten day waiting period in
order for the FBI to complete the background check, require an in-depth
background check, mental health screening by a medical professional, required
to take a gun safety course, and they must prove that the gun will be stored
safely and appropriately before purchase.
·
2. Each state will host a “buy back” day, where at various
locations throughout the state individuals can sell back their guns to the
state.
·
3. Ban and
criminalize assault weapons, and with them magazines that fire more than ten
rounds.
·
4.
Ban and criminalize the sale and purchase of guns online or through private
sale (all gun sales must have the same purchase criteria, See policy 1. )
·
5.
Limit the number of firearms an individual is able to own at a given time,
before buying any guns they must justify why they are requiring them.
·
6.
In order to reduce suicide rates; prompt and significant mental health and
medical care for individuals with need, i.e Veterans, people discharged from a
mental health facilitate, etc.
Data
The Data needed to
support the current policy is portrayed through the success of other Countries.
For example, in 1996 Australia had a mass shooting and drastically changed
their gun control laws because of it. Australia’s new gun laws prohibited
private sales, required that all weapons be individually registered to their
owners, and required that gun buyers present a “genuine reason” for needing
each weapon at the time of the purchase, self-defense did not count. The
changes that occurred were drastic, between 1996-2006 here are the statistics:
·
homicides by
firearms plunged 59 percent between 1995 and 2006, with no corresponding
increase in non-firearm-related homicides.
·
Suicides
dropped by 65%
·
Home
invasions did not increase. (many people fear that firearm ownership
is needed to deter such crimes.)
·
In
the decade before the Port Arthur massacre, there had been 11 mass shootings in
the country of Australia. There has been ZERO mass shootings in Australia
since. I propose we follow suit and make a significant change in order to help
the American people.
Implications for
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy has the ability to
have a significant impact on the mental health aspect of the gun laws. The
mental health care reform that is needed in our country can be led by a
profession who has it’s roots in working with individuals diagnosed with mental
health disorders, Occupational therapists. The Canadian Association of
Occupational Therapists explains, “As occupational therapists, we regularly
interface with the intimate details of clients’ everyday living when people
experience occupational challenges. Thus occupational therapists are
inevitably poised to receive messages when everyday living has been interrupted
by thoughts of suicide.” OT works very closely with their patients, and often
in their homes, we can help to reduce the amount of gun related suicides and
suicide attempts through education, paying attention, and reporting the signs
to the local authorities and health care providers. Occupational therapists
should have significant training in suicide detection, prevention, and how to
address suicide related incidents in practice.
References:
