ncrease in the homicide rate" in the United States. Harris also suggests that America has "developed a unique permanent racial underclass" which provide conditions for both the motive and opportunity for violent criminal behaviour (123). In Sherrill's book, The Saturday Night Special , a major topic of concern is the status structure of the street gang in which "success in defense of the turf brings deference and reputation...Here the successful exercise of violence is a road to achievement". As Sherrill mentions, this violence is exercised by the means of a gun that can be easily obtained in the United States due to the easy accessibility of guns. There are also some worthwhile differences found in the literature cited above. For one, Sproule and Kennett , indicate that gun ownership in the United States is "inversely related to individuals lack of confidence in collective institutions to protect their security of person and property...". Robert Sherrill believes that the vast majority of people who own guns , "simply own them because it is a part of their American heritage, and the constitution gives them 'the right to bear arms'"(1973:225). He suggests that Americans choose to practice their civil liberties to its entirety. Other notable differences in the literature is Mauser's view for the differences in the gun-control legislation between the two countries. Mauser states that the cause for this is "the differences in political elites and institutions rather than in public opinion" (1990:587). Due to Canada's political structure, it is a lot easier to make and approve laws in comparison with the United States Congress structure. Part III: Thesis Statement After researching all the data collected from the library and the use of course-related materials, I have formulated my own theory on the social impact of gun control and violence in North America. Going back to the introduction, I have asked the reader two questions :(1) Is it ou...
