Firearm Violence in the United States: An Issue of the Highest Moral Order

Abstract

Firearm violence in the United States produces over 36,000 deaths and 74,000 sustained firearm-related injuries yearly. The paper describes the burden of firearm violence with emphasis on the disproportionate burden on children, racial/ethnic minorities, women and the healthcare system. Second, this paper identifies factors that could mitigate the burden of firearm violence by applying a blend of key ethical theories to support population level interventions and recommendations that may restrict individual rights. Such recommendations can further support targeted research to inform and implement interventions, policies and laws related to firearm access and use, in order to significantly reduce the burden of firearm violence on individuals, health care systems, vulnerable populations and society-at-large. By incorporating a blended public health ethics to address firearm violence, we propose a balance between societal obligations and individual rights and privileges.

Exploring Global Gun Violence Prediction through Machine Learning Models

“…Gun violence poses a severe problem for societies worldwide, resulting in shocking consequences for individuals, communities, public safety, and healthcare facilities [1]. The accessibility and misuse of firearms contributes to a wide variety of violence, including homicides, suicides, and mass shootings [2]. Addressing this prevalent problem demands a comprehensive understanding of the driving force behind gun violence, entailing the role of gun laws in regulating firearm acquisition, possession, and use [3].…”