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Reducing Gun Violence in America: Evidence for Change

Approx. 18 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course provides an overview of gun violence in the United States, including its historical roots and current trends. It examines the causes, consequences, and potential solutions to gun violence, as well as the role of policy and advocacy in reducing the impact of firearms on society.

Key Learning Points

Understand the history and current trends of gun violence in the US
Analyze the causes and consequences of gun violence
Evaluate potential solutions to reduce the impact of firearms on society

Learning Outcomes

Understand the history and current trends of gun violence in the US
Evaluate the effectiveness of different policy solutions to reduce gun violence
Develop skills in policy analysis and advocacy

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic understanding of US government and policymaking
Interest in social justice issues

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online self-paced course
Video lectures
Quizzes and assignments

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Description

Reducing Gun Violence in America: Evidence for Change is designed to provide learners with the best available science and insights from top scholars across the country as well as the skills to understand which interventions are the most effective to offer a path forward for reducing gun violence in our homes, schools, and communities.

Through this course, you will learn how to: 1. Appreciate the scope of gun violence and the importance of considering the issue across a variety of contexts. 2. Describe the role of law and policy in addressing gun violence at the federal, state, and local levels. 3. Compare the effectiveness of gun violence policies and highlight the importance of changing the way we talk about gun violence. 4. Describe state standards for civilian gun carrying and use and how those standards affect crime and violence. 5. Describe how firearm design is regulated, the effective and just enforcement of firearm laws, and strategies for reducing police-involved shootings. 6. Identify and explain evidence-based programs to reduce gun violence and understand public opinion on gun policy. As a student of this course, it’s important to recognize that you are part of an international learning community. We understand that gun violence can be a difficult issue to discuss and we all have our own set of opinions and beliefs. However, we ask you to please remember that gun violence is something that affects every person differently. It’s important to understand that this course is intended to generate productive and meaningful conversation. We ask students of this course to abide by the rules outlined and expected of you by Coursera’s Code of Conduct Policy. Please help us promote a healthy, productive, and sustainable learning environment for all and practice the following principles: Be polite.  Treat your fellow learners with respect.  Insulting, condescending, or abusive words will not be tolerated.  Do not harass other learners.  Polite debate is welcome as long as you are discussing the ideas or the evidence, not attacking the person. Be sensitive.  Remember that Coursera is a global forum with learners from many different cultures and backgrounds.  Be kind, thoughtful, and open-minded when discussing race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or controversial topics since others likely have differing perspectives. Post appropriate content.  Content that violates the Honor Code or Terms of Service is not permitted.  You may not post inappropriate (e.g., pornographic or obscene) content.  Do not post copyrighted content.  Do not advertise or promote outside products or organizations.  Do not spam the forums with repetitive content. Please note that violations of Coursera’s Code of Conduct, Honor Code, or Terms of service are not permitted and may result in:  Deletion of posted content.  Removal from the course.  Losing access to the Coursera site. *It is important to also note that certain policies and laws mentioned in this course are likely to change and develop over time. As a result, we understand that course content may need to be updated to reflect such changes. While we will strive to do this as quickly as possible, we appreciate your patience. All information included in the course is reported accurately at the time of recording and we intend to update lectures as soon as possible and to the best of our ability. The development of this course was made possible through generous financial support provided by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, an organization committed to improving the lives of children, enabling the creative pursuit of science, advancing reproductive health, and conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems.

Outline

Guns and Gun Violence in America
Welcome and Introduction of Lead Instructors
Introduction to Guns and Gun Violence in America
The Impact of Gun Violence in the United States
Trends in Gun Ownership and Use
Defensive Gun Use, Gun Access, and Implications for Public Safety
Understanding Legal and Illegal Gun Markets
Firearm Ownership & Risk for Lethal Violence
Firearms & Suicide Risk: Background
Firearms and Suicide: Empirical Studies
Firearms and Suicide: Are We Acting on What We Already Know?
Wrap-Up of Guns and Gun Violence in America
Course Reference List
Faculty Profiles
Further Reading on Guns and Gun Violence in America
Setting Goals for this Course
Pre-Course Survey
The Impact of Gun Violence in the United States Practice Quiz
Civilian Gun Ownership and Use Practice Quiz
What is the relationship between exposure to guns and risk of harm? Practice Quiz
Guns and Gun Violence in America

Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence
Introduction to Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence
Federal, State, and Local Powers
The Second Amendment and Gun Policy
Present & Future of the 2nd Amendment
Interview with Brian Frosh, Attorney General of Maryland
Litigation as a Public Health Strategy
Obstacles to Research, Policy Advancement, and Data Transparency
Evidence for Age-Related Firearm Restrictions from Developmental Science
Child Access Prevention Laws
The Intersections of Gun Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, and Gun Policy
Violent Misdemeanors, Alcohol, & Drugs
Wrap-Up of Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence
Further Reading on Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence
Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence Practice Quiz
Legal Issues Relevant to Preventing Gun Violence Quiz

Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence
Introduction to Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence
How Mental Illness and Violence are Related (and Not Related) and Why It Matters
Firearm Restrictions Affecting People with Mental Illness: Are the Laws Effective, and What Other Approaches are Needed?
Case Study – Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy
Background Checks
Purchaser Licensing
Waiting Periods
Reducing the Diversion of Guns to Criminals through Effective Regulation and Oversight of Gun Dealers
Wrap-Up of Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence
Further Reading on Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence
Thinking Differently about Mental Illness and Gun Violence Practice Quiz
Case Study: Consortium for Risk-Based Firearm Policy Practice Quiz
Keeping Guns from Prohibited People Practice Quiz
Reducing the Diversion of Guns to Criminals through Effective Regulation and Oversight of Gun Dealers Practice Quiz
Wrap-Up of Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence Practice Quiz
Evidence-Based Policies to Prevent Gun Violence Quiz

Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes
Introduction to Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes
Standards for Civilian Gun Carrying
"Right to Carry" Laws
"Stand Your Ground” Laws: Justifiable Use of Lethal Force
Threat Assessment & School-based Interventions: Impact of School Shootings
Threat Assessment & School-based Interventions: Prevalence of Shootings in Schools
Threat Assessment and Response in School Settings: Threat Assessment as a Violence Prevention Strategy
Gun-Free Zones
Campus Carry
Safe Gun Storage
Safe Gun Storage in Practice
Wrap-Up of Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes
Further Reading for Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes
Standards for Civilian Gun Carrying: Frequency, Effectiveness, & Standards Practice Quiz
Understanding the Impact of Laws Permitting Gun Carrying & Defensive Gun Use Practice Quiz
Mass Shootings & Safety in School Settings Practice Quiz
Safe Gun Storage Practice Quiz
Wrap-Up of Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes Practice Quizzes
Guns in Public Places, Schools, and Homes Quiz

Regulating Gun Design, Enforcing Gun Laws, and Reducing Police-Involved Shootings
Introduction to Regulating Gun Design, Enforcing Gun Laws, and Reducing Police-Involved Shootings
Assault Weapons & Large-Capacity Magazines
Personalized Guns
Utilizing Microstamping Technology to Make Communities Safer
Ballistic Identification and National Integrated Ballistic Information (NIBIN)
Policing Illegal Gun Carrying in Hot Spots for Shootings
Focused Deterrence: A Law Enforcement Strategy to Reduce Gun Violence
Domestic Violence Dispossession
Armed & Prohibited
Police Involved Shootings
Wrap-Up of Regulating Gun Design, Enforcing Gun Laws, and Reducing Police-Involved Shootings
Further Reading for Regulating Gun Design, Enforcing Gun Laws, and Reducing Police-Involved Shootings
How do regulations vary between different types of firearms? What are the associated impacts on reducing violence? Practice Quiz
How can gun laws be effectively & justly enforced? How are regulations & efforts to improve public safety upheld? Practice Quiz
Police Involved Shootings Practice Quiz
Regulating Gun Design, Enforcing Gun Laws, and Reducing Police-Involved Shootings Quiz

Community and Clinical Interventions to Prevent Gun Violence and Public Support for Gun Policy
Introduction to Community and Clinical Interventions to Prevent Gun Violence and Public Support for Gun Policy
Street Outreach and Violence Interruption to Prevent Urban Gun Violence
Cure Violence in Practice: Comparing New York City & Baltimore Applications
Clinician Perspective on Gun Violence & Strategic Approaches in the Medical Field
Role of Gun Shops & Safe Storage in Preventing Suicide
Understanding Place-Based Interventions in a Public Health Context
Evidence & Benefits of Place-Based Interventions
Public Opinion and Support for Gun Policy
Takeaways from the Course: Where Do We Go from Here
Now What?
Wrap-Up of Community and Clinical Interventions to Prevent Gun Violence and Public Support for Gun Policy
Conclusion of Reducing Gun Violence: Evidence for Change
Further Reading for Community and Clinical Interventions to Prevent Gun Violence and Public Support for Gun Policy
Creating Healthy Neighborhoods Practice Quiz
What is public opinion on gun policy? Practice Quiz
Community and Clinical Interventions to Prevent Gun Violence and Public Support for Gun Policy Quiz
Post-Course Survey

Summary of User Reviews

Learn about gun violence in this course on Coursera. Users have generally given positive reviews for the course, praising its informative and eye-opening content.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

The course is praised for its informative and eye-opening content.

Pros from User Reviews

Detailed and well-researched course material
Engaging and knowledgeable instructors
Interactive and thought-provoking assignments
A balanced approach to the topic
Good use of statistics and data

Cons from User Reviews

Some users found the course to be too political
The course could benefit from more diverse perspectives
The discussion forums can be overwhelming at times
The course may not provide enough actionable solutions
The course may be too basic for those already familiar with the topic

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Reducing Gun Violence in America: Evidence for Change

Through this course, you will learn how to: 1. Appreciate the scope of gun violence and the importance of considering the issue across a variety of contexts....

Save Course