Gun violence is one of the crucial problems that Boston city faces. That issue has become especially remarkable during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the rate of homicide cases with firearms surged by 29% in 2020 compared to 2019. Moreover, the shootings that resulted in victims’ deaths grew from 23 people in 2019 to 31 during the following year. Consequently, the citizens – notably those from less prosperous neighborhoods – feel increasingly unsecured and, thus, unable to fully enjoy their lives. For this reason, it is important to discuss the measures that would help reduce the frequency of gun violence occurring in the city.
It is necessary to change the cultural norms inherent to some groups concerning the notion that gun violence can be a justifiable behavior under certain circumstances. For instance, it is known that shooting can often occur as a response to disrespect. Such behavior is not only explained by a person’s impulsive reaction to the situation but also by the moral standards of his/her referent group. Therefore, decision-makers should address that problem by educating people that firearm usage is unacceptable in any situation except the extreme cases. That can be achieved with the help of official education institutions and media platforms.
Also, the government can introduce more strict measures as a response to gun violence. The increased punitive reaction would decrease people’s readiness to use firearms. This hypothesis can be explained by the fact that human beings usually assess the desirability of certain results by comparing their potential costs and benefits. In this regard, greater punishment would mean higher costs of criminal behavior. Therefore, it can be argued that as costs rise but benefits remain the same, fewer people would be involved in gun violence.