NCJ Number
72793
Date Published
Unknown
Length
33 pages
Annotation
A quasiexperimental research design was used to determine the effect of the Firearms Control Act of 1975 on the District of Columbia's crime rates.
Abstract
Official crime statistics were gathered from the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. District of Columbia crime statistics for the three years before and the three years after the law's implementation were compared on a linear time basis. A multiple regression model was used to analyze the data. Data were also compared with data for the entire nation, the South, and 11 cities between 500,000 and 1 million population. These jurisdictions were used as comparison groups to ascertain possible regional or demographic factors that could affect crime rates. Results showed that fireman-related homicide, robbery, and aggravated assault categories decreased significantly after the act's implementation. Handgun homicides decreased 26.2 percent; assaults with handguns decreased 10.5 percent; and robberies with handguns decreased 22.5 percent. In addition, the death rate by firearm accidents dropped from 0.3 per 100,000 in 1974 and 1975 to a virtually nonexistent rate in 1978 and 1979. The suicide rate decreased 40 percent between 1976 and 1979. In comparison to the control groups, Washington had the greatest decrease in crime rates in all three categories. Results showed that the Firearms Control Act has been responsible for a significant reduction in both firearm and handgun crime in the District of Columbia and has curbed violent deaths and crime due to firearm abuse. Numerous tables and 19 references accompany the report.