NCJ Number
48116
Journal
NEW YORK LAW FORUM Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1968) Pages: 718-749
Date Published
1968
Length
31 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS STUDIES ARE USED TO INDICATE THAT GUN CONTROL DOES NOT REDUCE THE HOMICIDE RATE, WOULD NOT BE COST EFFECTIVE, AND WOULD CREATE NEW PROBLEMS.
Abstract
A STUDY BY DR. MARVIN WOLFGANG ANALYZING 4 YEARS OF PHILADELPHIA (PA.) CRIMINAL HOMICIDES IS CITED AS SHOWING THAT THE ELIMINATION OF GUNS WOULD NOT, IN A STATISTICAL SENSE, SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASE THE HOMICIDE RATE. A REPORT OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS ALSO MENTIONED AS SUPPORTING WOLFGANG'S FINDINGS. A 1960 WISCONSIN STUDY OF ALL THE STATES IS QUOTED AS CONCLUDING THAT THE MURDER RATE IS NOT APPRECIABLY AFFECTED BY GUN CONTROL, ALTHOUGH IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE WISCONSIN REPORT DID NOT USE APPROVED STATISTICAL METHODS. THE 1967 STUDY BY ECONOMIST ALAN KRUG, UPDATING THE WISCONSIN STUDY AND USING FORMAL STATISTICAL PROCEDURES, IS REPORTED AS FINDING NO STATISTICAL CORRELATION BETWEEN CRIME RATES AND EXTENT OF FIREARMS LICENSING. THESE STATISTICS ARE INTERPRETED TO MEAN THAT ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF CAUSING DEATH WILL ALWAYS BE FOUND IF FIREARMS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. IT IS FURTHER ARGUED THAT IN STATES WITH A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF FIREARMS, THERE IS LESS CRIME. KNOWLEDGE ON THE PART OF THE POTENTIAL CRIMINAL THAT HIS INTENDED VICTIM, WHETHER STOREKEEPER OR HOMEOWNER, IS LIKELY TO BE ARMED, IS HYPOTHESIZED AS THE REASON FOR THIS STATISTIC. THE POTENTIAL COST OF IMPLEMENTING AND ENFORCING GUN CONTROL PROCEDURES IS SHOWN TO BE UNDULY HIGH IN TERMS OF RESULTS ACHIEVED. A SECTION IS INCLUDED OUTLINING THE SPORTSMAN'S ATTITUDES TOWARD GUN LEGISLATION. ALTHOUGH GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION IS NOT SUPPORTED, A FEDERAL GUN LAW IS PROPOSED IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY PERSONS, PARTICULARLY HUNTERS, WHO MAY CARRY OR USE THEIR FIREARMS IN VARIOUS STATES. IT IS PROPOSED THAT A PROCEDURE BE ESTABLISHED WHEREBY ANYONE COULD VOLUNTARILY APPLY FOR A 'UNITED STATES FIREARMS IDENTITY CARD,' COVERING RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS, WHICH WOULD BE ISSUED TO ANY PERSON OVER THE AGE OF 16 WHO HAD NO RECENT HISTORY OF CONVICTION FOR A VIOLENT CRIME. A SIMILAR CARD WOULD BE ISSUED FOR PISTOL OWNERS, EXCEPT THAT THE MINIMUM AGE WOULD BE 18. (RCB)