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69 Emory L.J. 1043 (2019-2020)
Mass Shootings, Legislative Responses, and Public Policy: An Endless Cycle of Inaction

handle is hein.journals/emlj69 and id is 1077 raw text is: MASS SHOOTINGS, LEGISLATIVE RESPONSES, AND PUBLIC POLICY: AN ENDLESS CYCLE OF INACTION Jaclyn Schildkraut* Collin M. Carr** ABSTRACT Although mass shootings give rise to particularly visceral reactions and demands for action within the public sector, the corresponding response from legislators has failed to produce any meaningful change. With much of the discourse in the aftermath of these events centering on the polarized gun control- gun rights debate, two proposed solutions-assault weapons bans and universal background checks-often are at the forefront. Although varying by group and often higher immediately following a shooting, public support for these two proposals has yet to translate into legislative action. In this Article, we explore previous attempts by the federal government to regulate assault weapons and implement background checks for all firearm purchases, particularly in response to high-profile (and highly lethal) mass shootings. We situate these efforts in the context of corresponding public support as well as examples of how such regulations may have been effective at creating impediments for the perpetrators. We also explore state legislative efforts, which have been far more successful in enacting legislation related to assault weapons and background checks. Finally, we consider the role of lobbying and interest groups in overshadowing bipartisan support for these proposals, as well as what may be needed to break the perpetual stalemate in Congress and end the cycle of legislative inaction stemming from mass shootings. Jaclyn Schildkraut is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego. Her research interests include mass/school shootings, homicide trends, mediatization effects, moral panics, and crime theories. She is the co-author of Mass Shootings: Media, Myths, and Realities and has published in a number of journals including Homicide Studies, American Journal of Criminal Justice, Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice & Criminology, Crime, Law and Social Change, and Security Journal, as well as several edited volumes. State University of New York at Oswego, 458 Mahar Hall, Oswego, NY 13126, USA; Email: Jaclyn.Schildkraut@ oswego.edu. Collin M. Carr is a 2020 graduate of Syracuse University College of Law. His research focuses on civil liberties and public policy, and covers topics ranging from felon disenfranchisement laws, perceptions of concealed carry on campus policies, and the development of free speech jurisprudence under the First Amendment.

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