Access Type
Open Access Dissertation
Date of Award
January 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Department
Political Science
First Advisor
Marjorie Sarbaugh-Thompson
Abstract
In June of 2022, the United States Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) after nearly 30 years of inaction. This dissertation analyzes why after decades of status quo maintenance (lack of gun control action), Congress decided to act following the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde Texas. This research uses hypotheses generated from Punctuated Equilibrium Theory (PET) to compare six different mass shootings to examine what set the Uvalde shooting apart from other similar shooting within the last 15 years. This study analyzes media coverage, public opinion shifts, political saliences, election cycles, and victim characteristics to break down what set Uvalde apart from other shootings in Newtown Connecticut, Parkland Florida, Las Vegas Nevada, Orlando Florida, and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Key findings suggest that victim age, number, and election cycle timing was important to Congressional action gun control among other key factors set forth by PET. Overall, this dissertation creates insight into how policies can change on polarized political issues while also posing important questions for future research on gun policy change in the future.
Recommended Citation
Lohrmann, Kory, "Passing The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act: Gun Control After 30 Years" (2025). Wayne State University Dissertations. 4287.
https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/oa_dissertations/4287