NCJ Number
61983
Journal
William and Mary Law Review Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (WINTER 1978) Pages: 235-290
Date Published
1978
Length
56 pages
Annotation
EXEMPLARY STUDIES WHOSE RESULTS PROVIDE USEFUL DATA ON FIREARMS OWNERSHIP AND GUN REGULATION ARE PRESENTED WITHIN THREE SUBJECT AREAS--PATTERNS AND EXTENT OF GUN OWNERSHIP, CRIMINAL USE, AND EFFECTS OF CONTROL.
Abstract
THE NATIONAL OPINION RESEARCH CENTER SURVEY (1973) CORRELATED FIREARMS OWNERSHIP WITH VARIOUS FACTORS INCLUDING RELIGION, OCCUPATION, AND CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION. OWNERSHIP FOR ALL TYPES OF FIREARMS WAS HIGHEST AMONG WHITES AS OPPOSED TO DISTINCT MINORITY GROUPS BUT HIGHER FOR NONWHITES AS A WHOLE, HOUSEHOLDS WITH AN INCOME OF $15,000 OR MORE, AND RURAL RESIDENTS. THE DECISION MAKING INFORMATION SURVEY (1975) CONFIRMED THESE FINDINGS AND FURTHER REVEALED THAT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OF FEDERAL GUN LEGISLATION WAS WEAK AND THAT STRICT CONTROLS AND OUTRIGHT BANS WERE OPPOSED BY THE CITIZENRY. A CALIFORNIA STUDY FOUND THE PREDOMINANT MOTIVE FOR OWNERSHIP TO BE SELF-DEFENSE, AND THE CRIME CONTROL RESEARCH PROJECT FOUND THAT 60 PERCENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS CONCEDE THAT ARMED CITIZENS COULD BE A DETERRENT TO CRIMINALS, WHEREAS THEY FELT THAT LEGISLATIVE CONTROLS WERE INEFFECTIVE. STUDIES ON CRIMINAL ARAMAMENT AND USE SUGGEST THAT CRIMINALS OBTAIN THEIR GUNS THROUGH THEFT, RETAIL SALES IN JURISDICTIONS NOT COVERED BY CONTROLS TO WHICH THEY WILL TRAVEL IF NECESSARY, AND ILLEGAL TRANSFERS. FURTHER RESEARCH REVEALS THAT ALTHOUGH RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN TYPES OF WEAPONS APPEAR TO BE INEFFECTIVE, MANDATORY SENTENCES FOR CARRYING ILLEGAL FIREARMS ARE SOMEWHAT EFFECTIVE, AND THAT THIS IS A TYPE OF REGULATION THAT HAS BOTH CITIZEN AND POLICE SUPPORT. OPERATION CUE, A BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, AND FIREARMS PROGRAM TO ENHANCE ENFORCEMENT OF GUN REGULATIONS IN SELECTED CITIES, SHOWED NO POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THOSE CITIES' CRIME RATES, DESPITE THE DEPARTMENT'S PROJECT EVALUATION DATA LAUDING IT AS A SUCCESS. A DOUGLAS MURRAY STUDY (1975) INDICATES THAT NO SIGNIFICANT CORRELATION EXISTS BETWEEN FIREARM CONTROLS AND EITHER HANDGUN OWNERSHIP OR VIOLENT CRIME LEVELS. THE PERTINENCE OF THESE STUDIES FOR FURTHER RESEARCH IS DISCUSSED ALONG WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE STUDIES. REFERENCE ARE PROVIDED. (DAG)