Paper instructions:
The governor of a state proposes a new initiative to reduce gun violence in several of the state’s cities hit hardest by the problem.Though gun violence comes in many forms, this initiative is designed to address youth gang violence, committed by young adult offenders (18-25) who have few economic opportunities available to them and are involved in small, informal gangs.The violence often stems from ongoing conflicts that emerge between the gangs and subsequent cycles of retaliation.The initiative has several main components.
1. The proposal calls for 2-year sentence enhancement for any crime committed with a gun as well as 2-year mandatory sentence for possession of an illegal firearm.This substantially increases the punishment for crimes committed with a gun or possession of an illegal firearm compared to the previous statutes.
2. The new law calls for increasing funds to local police agencies to operate targeted enforcement patrols in gun violence “hot spots.”The local police will use data on violent crime incidents to determine high crime areas and target the additional patrol officers to these areas.
3. The law provides funds to implement a media campaign that is designed to “send a message” to young people about the new penalties and enforcement activities through various media sources, including posters in public spaces and ads on radio and television.
Based primarily on your understanding of rational choice theory, deterrence and environmental criminology, your general objective in this assignment is to explain why you agree or disagree that the proposal will work to deter gun violence.In the first part of your answer briefly explain the rationale behind this law according to rational choice, deterrence theory and environmental criminology.
For most of your answer, craft an argument about why you think the initiative will act as an effective deterrent to this type of behavior.Depending on your position, highlight strengths or limitations of rational choice theory as an explanation for criminal behavior and deterrence-based approaches to crime, connected to the approach outlined briefly above.Propose modification to the law where you see weaknesses.
**Please note that you are only addressing the issue of whether the initiative works as an effective deterrent.Do not argue against or for the law on other normative grounds, such as fairness or justice.**
Grading Criteria:
1. Demonstrated Knowledge
– Paper provide the reader with a complete and accurate understanding of relevant issues
– References specific assumption, arguments and concepts of theory/policy implications
– Explains concepts fully; provides definitions; uses examples to illustrate points when necessary
2. Critical Analysis & Use of Evidence
-present well-supported, logically consistent arguments
-establishes validity of positions; refutes opposing positions
-highlights limitations and/or strengths of theory/policy
-presents evidence from course, additional readings or external sources to support
3. Quality of Writing
-paper is organized; paragraphs contain single main idea, flow logically to next
-paper is written in the appropriate voice, style; uses the student’s own words
-sentences are clear, concise and grammatically correct
The articles that I attach to files; the source name is as follows: Cullen, Agnew & Wilcox, Part XI Introduction, Reviving Classical Theory: Deterrence and Rational Choice Theories (pgs. 417-421)