Gun Laws and regulations in the US

Ethics and Gun Violence in the US

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Ethics and Gun Violence in the US

The decision revolves around the urgency of a solution of laws and regulations to stop gun violence in the US.

Applying Kidder’s Nine-Step Ethical Decision-Making Process

1. Recognize there is a moral issue

The problem at hand is gun violence in the US. Gun violence is prevalent in the US with thousands of people getting killed or wounded each year through violence committed using firearms. Consequently, there is a moral issue around violence and the threat of violence from guns.

2. Determine the actor

All people in the US, myself included have an obligation to do something about the moral issue of gun violence. People have an obligation to advocate for laws for a given action to mitigate gun violence.

3. Gather the relevant facts

Gun violence includes any violent crime, suicide, homicide, unintentional death, or unintentional injury caused by a firearm. Statistics show that in 2020 alone, around 45,200 people died from gun-related injuries (Gramlich, 2022). Furthermore, the US has the highest rate of gun ownership in the world.

4. Test for right-Is it legal? Does it stink? How would I feel if it made the

News? What would mom do? versus-wrong issue

5. Test for right vs. right paradigms. Truth vs. Loyalty Individual vs. Community Short-term vs. Long-term

Justice vs. Mercy

6. Apply the resolution principles.

Ends Based

Rules-Based

Care Based

7. Investigate the trilemma option.

Is there an alternative course of action that would create a win-win? Is there a way to compromise?

8. Make the decision.

Recall that no decision is itself a decision.

9. Revisit and reflect.

How did you arrive at your decision?

What was the outcome?

How do you feel about your decision?

Reference

Gramlich, J. (2022). What the data says about gun deaths in the US. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/02/03/what-the-data-says-about-gun-deaths-in-the-u-s/