Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS)

Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches

Pinamang, Abena

29 May 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 5, pp. 649-655

DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19

Abstract

Gun violence in the United States has been identified as a multifaceted problem at the nexus of public health, and criminal justice, with high population-wide effects and longstanding disparities. The purpose of this narrative review is to synthesize sociological and criminal justice views through a public health framework and the creation of an integrated view of the understanding and prevention of firearm violence. A narrative review was performed with the help of major academic databases, literature, where the theoretical contribution, the main empirical studies, and the policy-oriented studies published between 2017 and 2025 were used. The studies were chosen based on their relevance to the issues of public health, structural determinants, and criminal justice interventions. The review cites gun violence as an imbalanced distribution among populations, based on structural inequality, community disorganization, and social network dynamics. There is evidence that specific deterrence tactics like focused deterrence and community-based interventions are consistently effective, whereas more general enforcement strategies and some firearm policies are less effective. One weakness in studies is the absence of interdisciplinary approach, which limits the formulation of holistic prevention plans. In response, this paper introduces the Integrated Public Health and Criminal Justice Framework, which integrates structural, community, and individual interventions to reduce firearm-related violence in the United States. The solution to gun violence should be a multi-level and integrated system that incorporates public health prevention strategies, sociological, and criminal justice approaches. Evidence-based, coordinated, and equity-oriented strategies are critical to attaining sustainable decreases in firearm violence.

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Pinamang, & Abena (2026). Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(5), 649-655. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19

@article{Pinamang2026,
  title   = {Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue in the United States: A Review of Sociological and Criminal Justice Prevention Approaches},
  author  = {Pinamang and Abena},
  journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
  year    = {2026},
  volume  = {2},
  number  = {5},
  pages   = {649-655},
  doi     = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E5/2026-19}
}

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