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A blog that informs our clients about real world topics related to what we do as Scale Strategic Solutions!

"Do Something" Addressing Americas Gun Violence

Erica Smith / September 10, 2019

I write this piece after mornings of crying realizing that another young man I knew was gunned down in the streets, after hearing my mother describe the beautiful body of a woman laying in a casket who was a victim of the Dayton massacre, after listening to one of our associates share that she previously worked with the members of a project team shot by a random gunmen in a downtown Cincinnati office building as they were headed to a meeting, after many nights of sending my husband off to protect and serve. I write this as my hometown says, “Do Something!”.

The Scale Strategic Solutions staff agreed we needed to do something to address gun violence not just as individuals but as a firm that helps organizations and systems to better serve their communities and make a difference in people’s lives. We have provided organizational development and evaluation services in public health, and gun violence is a public health priority. As a start, we wanted to highlight resources that can help guide policy development to prevent and reduce gun violence.

In 2018, the Rand Corporation synthesized thousands of studies on gun policies across the US. While there are few definitive conclusions (in part because many policy impacts have not been rigorously studied), some policies have been identified as seeing promising results. Moderate to strong evidence supports that there is reduction in injury and death when laws are implemented on

o Child access and safe gun storage,

o Background checks,

o Restricted purchase or possession by individuals with history of mental illness

In light of the moderate evidence of restricting purchase or possession by individuals with a history of mental illness, we must not paint with too broad of a brush. According to the American Psychiatric Association, mass shootings by people with serious mental illness only represent 1% of all gun homicides. When looking at mental illness and violence, a majority of mental disorders are not associated with violent behaviors. Only 3%-5% of violent acts can be attributed to people with serious mental illness. When considering serious mental illness which impair major life activities (e.g.bi-polar, schizophrenia and depression), studies show that the attributed risk of violence for people with serious mental disorders remains low, at just 4%. Most mass shooters show symptoms of mental illness but research shows that only a quarter have been diagnosed with mental illness. Michelle Galietta, a forensic psychologist at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, said in an interview with PBS that “You can be impulsive and angry- and those traits can be separate from having any disorder". In a report analysis of 235 mass shootings, only 22% (51 individuals) could be considered mentally ill. Policies with prohibitions for individuals with mental illness should be evidence-based as to have the appropriate scope of qualifying criteria and to lead to the desired outcomes of reducing violence. We do not want to exacerbate the stigma and bias associated with mental health disorders or to discourage individuals from seeking mental and behavioral health supports with policies that have cast too wide of a net with prohibitions.

We must also consider what policies may increase injury and death. There is moderate evidence that stand-your-ground laws may increase violent crime.

There is limited study of bans on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, concealed-carry laws and minimum age requirements. We need to understand if these policies can save lives and stop endless heartbreak and trauma.

For decades, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had been dissuaded by funding parameters from studying gun violence per se. However, the CDC still has important research on related topics such as preventing youth violence and intimate partner violence. Their recommendations on preventing youth violence include family engagement in preschool enrichment, mentoring of youth, and behavior health treatment to prevent problem behavior. Ways to prevent intimate partner violence include but are not limited to social-emotional learning programs for youth, healthy relationship programs for couples, bystander empowerment and education, and creating protective environments with organizational policies and workplace climate improvements. Public policy that may encourage best practices and funding in these areas are important also.

There are also a host of violence prevention programs including hospital-based programs such as those run by members of the National Network of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program and community-based interventions highlighted by the National Network for Safe Communities. Championing and supporting these programs with private and public resources can change lives.

While our communities design and advocate for systemic steps forward, there are personal actions we can also take. Just to name a few, consider what makes sense for you.

• Say something if you hear something: Amidst the tragedies that comes to pass, there are countless incidences of where violence was avoided and lives were saved because someone intervened in an appropriate way by alerting authorities or trained intervention teams. It is also important the communities and law enforcement communicate and share information to solve crimes.

• Practice gun safety: If you lawfully own a gun, practice gun safety in securing, storing, and handling your gun. Don’t leave guns unsecured in your home, car, or other places you frequent where children may get a hold of it or criminals may steal your firearm.

• Support victims and victims’ families over the long-term: Consider what concrete and emotional supports you can give to victims and their families not just when the tragedy occurs but for months and years. Think about ways we can structure trauma-informed supports in our most vulnerable communities.

• Mentor: Mentoring programs for youth, especially those at-risk of violence, are effective. Being a mentor can make a difference.

• Treat each other with respect and love: Wherever we are present in our communities and in social media, we need to act with respect and love. One of our values at Scale Strategic Solutions is Philia Love. We believe that acting with respect and love will cultivate a climate of peace in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

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