Introduction
The specific problem that this advocacy seeks to solve is deaths that result from gun-related injuries. There have been rampant murders as well as suicides related to the same. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that more than 45200 people died from injuries associated with gun violence in 2020 (DeGrazia, 2023). The issue has led to the threat of life for many people since anyone can be affected. Suicide due to self-shooting has claimed more than 24000 lives, while homicide has approximately 19300 deaths (DeGrazia, 2023). Only 611 deaths have been due to legal intervention, with 535 being unintentional and more than 400 deaths from gun violence undetermined (Gearhart et al., 2019). In areas where the social problem is evident, it causes many residents to relocate from the neighborhoods, distorting communal peace. Gun violence is an issue that can lead to tension which has an adverse impact on any possible victim.
Overall Vision for the Community
I envision a world where firearms would be properly regulated in the US so that people’s lives are not at stake from gun violence. If the problem is solved, I perceive that the US and the world would be a safe zone for social, economic, and political interactions. I imagine a society full of enthusiasm in fighting for moral and communal rights without fear of execution, murder, or collateral mortalities. Children would grow up knowing that their lives are not at threat hence, be able to confidently determine their future through various realms of life. Without gun-related injuries, society would be at peace, meaning development agendas would be the priority. I dream of the day the government can combat the issue without impunity.
Research Required
To effectively become familiar with the context surrounding gun violence, I would undertake comprehensive research that shall add knowledge and expertise power as a social worker to reduce the issue. The first research would be whether there has been the creation of awareness about gun violence among all members of society, including those in marginalized areas and remote zones. The other research would be what contributes to the spread of illegal firearms in the country. Additionally, I would study what factors cause people to act violently by using their guns. Moreover, it would be possible to investigate whether there are special forces that kill people on behalf of the government and, if so, what measures can be taken to curtail the same. I would also conduct research on the dangers posed by gun violence in terms of holistic and futuristic perspectives. These research areas would equip me with appropriate details to determine my advocacy efforts’ necessary course of action.
Goals to Achieve
The following goals will be necessary to ensure that the advocacy is effective and fruitful.
- To undertake public sensitization on the issue of gun violence by highlighting the deaths per year so that everyone becomes aware of the adverse outcome and the uncertainty created by the issue.
- To engage both federal and state authorities in raising the alarm for the need to end gun violence by approaching the issue from a political and legal point of view (Brown & Barthelemy, 2019). That may include enforcing laws restricting random or loophole purchases of firearms in the community.
- Ensure that intensive research focuses on gun violence by categorizing the issue as a public health challenge (DeGrazia, 2023). That may cover encouraging the CDC to initiate programs that would restore the sanity of using guns to protect lives but not put people at significant risk.
- Lastly, it would be wise to incorporate tech and innovation in regulating gun violence (Sperlich et al., 2019). For instance, promoting the production of smart guns that require sophisticated authentication before shooting.
Useful Strategy
To accomplish the goals mentioned above, it is vital to employ a sure strategy to bring positive change. In this case, the strategy would be to form an interest group to lobby for the importance of ending gun violence by incorporating the government, private entities, and civilians into society (Brown & Barthelemy, 2019). The interest group will use modern metrics such as advocating the end of gun violence through mainstream media, social media, consultations, conferences, and other essential occasions that would instill the matter in many people at a given time. An interest group is easy to use since it lays calculative plans and is not affected by conflict of interest in a given issue. The visibility of the problem would be highly presented to society and the government through legal measures that enlighten the criminal justice system on the need to stop gun violence.
Conclusion
Various tactics can be employed under interest groups’ strategy. The first tactic would be to use policy briefings since that one has a significant advantage because it involves the government through the justice system (Bosco-Ruggiero, 2022). These briefings would influence concerned parties to develop legal metrics that can be accorded with the end of gun violence. For instance, selling firearms would be centrally undertaken through specific entities such as the government, and vetting on qualification to own a gun to be done by selected and neutral committees. The other tactic would be publicity stunts by leading peaceful demonstrations that encourage the refraining of mass shootings, extrajudicial killings, and other possible occasions leading to death from gun-related injuries.
References
Bosco-Ruggiero, S. (2022). Social worker and gun violence prevention: A complete guide.
Brown, M. E., & Barthelemy, J. J. (2019). The aftermath of gun violence: Implications for social work in communities. Health & Social Work, 44(4), 271–275. Web.
DeGrazia, D. (2023). Dialogues on gun control. Taylor & Francis.
Gearhart, M. C., Berg, K. A., Jones, C., & Johnson, S. D. (2019). Fear of crime, racial bias, and gun ownership. Health & Social Work, 44(4), 241–248. Web.
Sperlich, M., Logan-Greene, P., Slovak, K., & Kaplan, M. S. (2019). Addressing gun violence: A social work imperative. Health & Social Work, 44(4), 217–220. Web.