Gun Control Policy Paper

Running header: Policy

Policy Formation
Development of National Gun Control Policy
Catherine McManus
CJA 580
June 28, 2010
Charles Tucker

Policy Formation; Development of National Gun Control Policy The President has reviewed Great Brittan’s gun control policies that sparked interest for reform in America. England’s gun control policies extremely limited firearm possession. England requires a firearm license provided there are references given to justify the need of the rifle. Individuals or groups are allowed firearms for recreational sports such as hunting or gun collectors. England’s crime rate is significantly lower than the United States and the President felt the necessity to change US policy to reduce crime. According
to the Policy Stream Model, to accomplish the President’s goals, he must first verbalize his gun control concerns and benefits of the newly formed policy to gain political and social supporters. Political supporters must come from Congress, state legislators, and City/Township Councils. The President must also obtain the support from citizens throughout the Nation. This alone will be a challenge because of the varied beliefs in the matter. This paper will review, according to the Policy Stream Model, steps the President should consider when evaluating the proposed policy reform processes.
The Facts Gun Control in United Kingdom: Gun control regulated from Firearms Act of 1968 and the chief officer of police. Citizens are not permitted ownership of semi-automatic, automatic, amour, or piercing weaponry. To obtain a weapon in the United Kingdom, one must obtain a license. However, to get a license, one must prove with due cause the need for a weapon
Reasons for firearms may include outdoor sports such as hunting or the personal hobby of collecting non-evading weapons. To tighten the rope on gun control, those individuals applying for a gun license must provide a third party reference verifying the intended use of the firearm. Carrying firearms in public is strictly prohibited. Owners of personal guns must store their firearms according to regulations set by United Kingdom law makers. Violation of this policy is punishable in the court of law (Gunpolicy.org, 2010).
Problem Identification The United States President returns from the United Kingdom admiring their intense gun control policies. Violence rates are significantly lower in the United Kingdom as opposed to the United States. The United States laws allow citizens to own firearms without regulation of their proper storage. Certain states allow citizens to carry concealed weapons in public. To obtain a firearm license, an individual must be over 18 and have valid picture identification. Firearms require identification numbers labeled on the gun for proper monitoring of weapon. Secondary sale of firearm is not significantly monitored therefore there are more illegal firearms on the street. The Supreme Court recently decided that citizens are allowed to obtain firearms for the use of self-defense (Associated Press, 2010)
Policy Development using the Policy Stream Model The Policy Streams model suggested by John Kingdon (Marion & Oliver, 2006) suggests that there are policy windows and streams flowing within the formulation process of policies. Three basic streams exist in this model. They include the problem stream, political, and policy stream. According to this model, in order for a policy to become law, these three streams must equally meet to shed light on the importance of the issue. Prior to the assessment of the model processes, the President must understand the drastic changes he wishes to impose on political figures and the public.
The President must be able to justify the need for such drastic gun control changes and evaluate reasonable solutions to civil rights leaders who may think this policy is a violation of the Constitution. The President must understand the significant challenge involved with the proposed policy reform. He must be willing to accept these challenges whole-heartedly and commit to the time and energy required to move such life-altering policy. Though there will be avid supporters of the proposal, the President must prepare necessary defenses to address those opposing the
change.
Political Stream The President is a key role player in the development of a gun control policy. The President must generate an audience including federal and state legislators showing the same gun control concerns. The president must advertise his proposed changes to find an equal basis of understanding between legislators and general ideas to include in the implementation of the policy. The President must also acquire a public audience with the same or similar concerns regarding gun control and gun policy. Specific to the success of public agreement on proposed changes, the President must seek interest groups, advocates of gun reform, and others who would provide a significant role in the ratification of the newly proposed gun policy and procedures. The President’s efforts to obtain public and political advocates for the proposed gun changes must be strong, he artful, and persistent. To see this policy through, the President must put forth every effort to maintain and hold public and political support. The President must also prepare to adequately counter those predicted to oppose of the proposed policy. Strong opposing factors include civil rights activists, avid groups opposing the additional restrictions on the possession of firearms, and independent groups advocating the necessity to own firearms for personal defense. During these protests from groups opposing gun control change, the President must maintain a dignified stance on the topic and promote the positive amendments of the proposal. The President must gather as many political figures as possible to advocate for gun control reform. Political support must be superior to those opposing the reform in order for this proposal to succeed.
Policy Stream According to the Policy Stream Model, to ensure the President’s proposed policy becomes law, the problem (gun control) and political streams must remain equal. This equilibrium creates a window of opportunity to form the policy into law.
Challenges
It is predicted that the President will face many challenges gaining support for the proposed policy changes.
Predicted challenges include; 1) Obtaining political support. On the Federal level, this proposal will suggest a drastic change. Congressional members may not be able to find time to support such a large policy because of numerous elements involving policy development processes. To pass this proposal in the House and Senate, each political arena must find substantial state and community support of the proposal for it to succeed to become a Bill. 2) Should this proposal pass both the Senate and the House, the Bill must establish the same constructive elements as projected originally by the President. Due to the varied support systems, inconsistent elements relating to Freedom of Choice, US Constitution rights, and other individual and group freedoms granted through a multitude of laws passed in the history of the United States, statistical predictions to not predict such House and Senate approvals. 3) State legislators are more understanding of the wants and needs of the community they govern. Depending solely on location and community beliefs, legislators many not reinforce the need for this reformed policy based on the system set forth in the
community. 4) The President must propose this policy change with force. Force must come numerically; both in financial numbers and supporters of the policy change. The world is focused on other matters at the present moment that will restrict emphasis on gun reform. 5) Implementation of this policy, if passed into law, must be done by law enforcement agencies who agree with the politics of the proposed reform. Many States believe that the ownership of a firearm is a necessity of life. Many States have laws regulating possession of firearm. This policy will propose drastic changes for those States and therefore cause significant conflict of interest. Conclusion In conclusion, the President’s review of Great Brittan’s gun control policies sparked interest for reform in America. England’s gun control policies extremely limited firearm possession. England requires a firearm license provided there are references given to justify the need of the rifle. Firearms are only allowed to individuals or groups for recreational sports such as hunting or gun collectors. England’s crime rate is significantly lower than the United States and the President expresses the necessity to change United States policy to reduce crime. According to the Policy Stream Model, to accomplish the President’s goals, he must first verbalize his gun control concerns and benefits of the newly formed policy to gain political and social supporters. Political supporters must come from Congress, state legislators, and City/Township Councils. The President must also obtain the support from citizens throughout the Nation. This alone will be a challenge because of the varied beliefs in the matter. The President has many challenges to consider prior to the presentation of the proposed gun policy. Legal advisors, belief in the policy set aside, does not recommend such a dramatic change to the United States current gun control policies. Instead, if the President wishes to address change in gun control laws, it is highly recommend he consult Congressional legislators to assist in the development of a more logical, simple policy that will not cause shock to the American public.

References
Marion, N. & Oliver, W. (2006). The public policy of crime and criminal justice. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall. ISBN: 0-13-113769-7.cal
GunPolicy.org (2010). United Kingdom — Gun Facts, Figures and the Law retrieved June 28, 2010 from http://www.gunpolicy.org/firearms/region/united-kingdom
Associated Press (2010). Supreme Court Limits Local Gun Bans. Retrieved June 28, 2010 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37972148/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/?GT1=43001