NCJ Number
47862
Journal
SATURDAY REVIEW Dated: (JULY 3, 1971) Pages: 12-15,49-50
Date Published
1971
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL GUN CONTROL ACT OF 1968 AND MORE STRINGENT LEGISLATION IN VARIOUS STATES AND CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE DISCUSSED IN TERMS OF THEIR SEVERITY AND EFFECTIVENESS.
Abstract
AFTER THE ASSASSINATIONS OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND ROBERT F. KENNEDY IN 1968, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PASSED A GUN CONTROL ACT WHICH WAS INTENDED TO PROVIDE BETTER CONTROL OF THE TRAFFIC IN FIREARMS. THIS LAW PROHIBITED THE MAIL-ORDER SHIPMENT OF FIREARMS TO INDIVIDUALS AND THE OVER-THE-COUNTER SALES OF GUNS TO MINORS. REPORTS ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS LAW SHOWED LITTLE, DIFFERENCE IN THE AVAILABILITY OF FIREARMS SINCE THE LAW WAS ENACTED. THE GUN CONTROL ACT WAS MAINLY A COMPROMISE TO PLACATE THE SIDES FOR AND AGAINST GUN CONTROL. THERE WERE MANY LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW, WHICH STILL ALLOWED FOR THE MANUFACTURE AND SALE OF CERTAIN GUNS. SOME STATE GUN CONTROL LAWS WERE EVEN MORE INADEQUATE THAN THE FEDERAL LAW. MANY MUNICIPALITIES WERE UNHAPPY WITH BOTH THE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS, SO THEY ESTABLISHED THEIR OWN, STRICTER ORDINANCES. FOR EXAMPLE, TOLEDO, OHIO, ENACTED LEGISLATION WHICH DRASTICALLY LIMITED THE AVAILABILITY OF GUNS; AND THE CRIME RATE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY LOWER. WHERE THE CONTROL LAWS ARE STRICTER, THE FIREARM HOMICIDE RATE IS LOWER. MANY GROUPS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE QUESTION HAVE BEEN LOBBYING CONCERNING STRICTER GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION. GROUPS LOBBYING AGAINST THE LEGISLATION, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, ARE SO POWERFUL THAT THE LAWS CANNOT BE PASSED. THE NIXON ADMINISTRATION MADE NO ATTEMPT TO CLOSE LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW. (BAC)