NCJ Number
175792
Journal
Fordham Urban Law Journal Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: Winter 1995 Pages: 417-439
Date Published
1998
Length
23 pages
Annotation
Gun control is discussed in terms of its current status, the legislative history of the Brady Law, the regulatory changes that the Clinton Administration has instituted to broaden gun control beyond the Brady Law, recent gun control legislation, and recommendations for future advocacy.
Abstract
Gun control efforts have been prompted by the record of the United States as the world's most violent country. The Brady Bill was introduced in 1987 and finally passed in November 1993. The debate about the law focused on many issues related to gun control, including the need for a background check of a person intending to purchase a handgun, and the licensing and registration of handguns. The debate also irrefutably framed the issue as a political one. The Brady Law established an affirmative gun control law for the first time in 30 years. In addition, the Clinton Administration in 1993 and 1994 made regulatory changes to broaden handgun control. The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence had proposed these and other regulations in May 1993. Handgun Control, Inc., intends to adopt a comprehensive approach rather than an incremental one. Its goals are contained in legislation called the Gun Violence Prevention Act of 1994, widely known as Brady II. This bill establishes a system of State-based licensing and registration throughout the country and includes several other reforms. A further needed action is for attorneys and others to speak about the true meaning of the Second Amendment. Finally, non-legislative efforts are needed to eradicate the deeply rooted culture of gun violence in this country. The Center to Prevent Handgun Violence is involved in many such efforts in schools, courts, the entertainment industry, and the public health professionals. Footnotes