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Crime and Justice in the USA

Crime and Justice in the USA. There is a clear link between prison population in the USA and ethnic groups This may be because the majority of crimes in the USA take place in poorer inner-city areas (ghettos) which have higher levels of black and Hispanic inhabitants.

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Crime and Justice in the USA

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  1. Crime and Justice in the USA • There is a clear link between prison population in the USA and ethnic groups • This may be because the majority of crimes in the USA take place in poorer inner-city areas (ghettos) which have higher levels of black and Hispanic inhabitants

  2. Discrimination in the US Justice System? • It is alleged that minorities are discriminated against when it comes to justice. This is most obvious at the following times: • On arrest • When being tried in court • In terms of length of prison sentence • The use of the death penalty

  3. Who is discriminated against? • Black and Hispanic prisoners are generally younger and are imprisoned at higher rates compared to white prisoners

  4. Who is discriminated against? • Blacks are also far more likely to be on death row

  5. Gun Ownership in the USA • The USA has the highest gun ownership in the world • There are 89 guns for every 100 Americans (compared to just 4 per 100 in Scotland) • In 2011, there were 8,583 murders using firearms • In 2012, California had 1,790 gun murders

  6. Gun Ownership in the USA • Most Americans who have guns do not break the law • Many argue that the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution guarantees Americans the right to “bear arms” • However, mass shootings regularly occur leading to calls for tighter gun control

  7. Government Response • Following the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shootings, President Obama unveiled proposals to tackle gun violence • “Our nation has suffered too much at the hands of dangerous people who use guns to commit horrific acts of violence. We won’t be able to stop every violent act, but if there is even one thing that we can do to prevent any of these events, we have a deep obligation, all of us, to try” (President Barack Obama)

  8. Government Response • Obama’s gun proposals: • Tougher background checks • Ban on assault weapons • Limit the number of rounds which can be fired from a single weapon • Ban armour piercing bullets • Prevent gun trafficking

  9. The Sandy Hook Massacre • Friday 14th December 2012 • Adam Lanza (aged 20) shot 27 people dead (20 children) using 3 guns • Fired 154 rounds • Committed suicide by shooting self in head

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