The Uruguayan Responsible Firearm Ownership Law

Abstract

This chapter is the second case study of the book and applies John Kingdon’s Multiple Streams Framework to explain the agenda-setting and policy formation processes that led to the approval of the 2014 Uruguayan Responsible Firearm Ownership Law. The analysis argues that the incremental change in policy was the consequence of a full agenda coupling in 2012 and a successful decision coupling in 2014. The analysis of the agenda-setting process underscores the importance of focusing events in low-crime contexts, of increases in gun homicides and of the proper framing of gun violence. The RFOL developed in a highly fragmented policy community and its formation was the result of an exclusively top-down endeavor with little involvement of non-partisan actors. This is not exceptional, however, as Uruguayan researchers and academics are not usually involved in policymaking and political parties exert a near-monopolistic role as mediators of political interests and demands.