Final answer:
The question "How should gun control legislation be changed so that mass shootings might be less likely to occur?" would most likely lead to an argumentative essay. This genre allows the writer to present a persuasive argument with supporting evidence about changes to gun control laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
The research question "How should gun control legislation be changed so that mass shootings might be less likely to occur?" would most likely lead to an argumentative essay. This genre is appropriate because the essay would focus on establishing a position regarding gun control legislation and supporting that position with evidence and reasoning. An argumentative essay allows the writer to explore different viewpoints, discuss tradeoffs, and make persuasive arguments for or against specific changes to legislation. Considering public safety, gun rights, and previous incidents of gun violence, the essay would present a well-reasoned argument backed up by facts and statistics.