Gun Shows in Relation to Suicides and Homicides

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Hypothesis
Variables
Biases in the study
Ethical concerns about the study
Conclusion
References

Introduction

An occurrence of one act may be a result of the presence of another. The study involved here shall establish the knowledge claim that gun shows results into an increase in the number of suicides and homicide cases. The article shows the procedures that were followed during the study. Some considerations were made during contacting of the study; location. For this research investigation into the likely link or lack of it between the occurrences of the deaths due gun shows involved the use of ZIP zones to investigate. The regions that were chosen for the study were population higher densely populated regions and regions with significant number of gun shows per year: Texas and California. Over a period of 11years, data was collected and analyzed using correlation and regression tests to draw a conclusion that there was no significance relationship between gun shows and an occurrence of suicide and/or homicide. The end finding reveals that there is little link between tighter regulations to fire-arm related deaths.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis for this study can be given a two-dimensional view. In the first place, the study seeks to establish knowledge claim that unregulated gun sales at gun shows each year makes it possible for criminals to obtain fire-arm thus increasing the possibility of homicide cases (Gerish, & Lacey, 2010). Secondly, the study investigates claim that gun shows enhance suicide with a lethal weapon; a fire-arm. Below is the hypothesis.

The availability of gun shows increases homicide cases and suicide by use of a fire-arm.

The method for selecting participants in for this study is not applicable as data was sourced from already existing literature (Babbie, 2010). Additional statistics was made from recording fire arm related deaths. Therefore there was no method used.

Variables

From the study independent and dependent variables can be identified and they are listed below.

Independent variable- the independent variable in the study is the gun shows held each year across America.
Dependent variables in the study are two, that is, homicide cases and fire-arm induced lethal suicide.

Biases in the study

The biases that were identified in the study systematic errors due to:

Lack of enlisting the number of fire-arms owned by people- the study tries to relate the link between the presence of a homicide and suicide related deaths due to a previous gun show (Houser, 1998).. However, many people are likely to own more than one fire arm, resulting to bias since a fire arm used may not necessarily have been bought after gun show.
Lack of specification of the guns most likely used to be used- this introduces bias as the study reveals that there is a variety of fire-arms on display, rifles included. There is lack of inclusion of this particularly to fire-arm related suicides.

The results were tested and analyzed using regression and correlation of the results. The baseline model was employed to create a linear relationship of the results from the data collected over an interval of one week for a period of 11 years (D’Oliveria & Greene, 1982).

Ethical concerns about the study

The aim of the study was to draw a relationship between homicide activities and suicide using fire-arms due to the presence of the gun shows. But it reaches a point, and the investigation introduces an issue of race and minority blacks/Hispanics in the study. This introduced a race issue in the study. Another potential problem study is over-reliance on existing data Gun and knife show calendar (Wadley, 2008). This does not validate changes due to present situations of deaths. Besides there is also the lack of explanation in the study about homemade firearms that may be used in homicide and suicide cases.

Conclusion

The study was contact on a professional scale except that there was over-reliance on existing data from the gun and knife show calendar. Future researchers should consider involving criminals to a large extend in gathering information, investigating from them if gun shows had any meaning prior to their commitment of the crime. Secondly, research in the area should also consider inclusion of a possible relationship to the use of a homemade fire-arm triggered by gun shows.

References

Babbie, R.E. (2010). The practice of social research. Wordsworth: Cengage Learning.

D’Oliveria, M., & Greene, J., (1982). Learning to use statistical tests. Berkshire: Open University Press.

Gerish, K & Lacey, A. (2010). The research process in nursing. West Sussex: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Houser, R. (1998). Counseling and educational research: evaluation and application. California: SAGE Publications, Inc.

Wadley, J. (2008). Gun shows do not increase homicides or suicides. Web.

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