"Great American Gun War:" Some Policy Implications of the Felon Study (From Armed and Considered Dangerous: A Survey of Felons and Their Firearms, P 225-238, 1986, James D Wright and Peter H Rossi, -- See NCJ-118888)

• NCJ Number: 118898
• Author(s): J D Wright; P H Rossi
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 14 pages
• Sale Source: Aldine de Gruyter Publishing Co
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This chapter draws policy implications from responses to a self-administered questionnaire on firearms acquisition and use completed by a sample of 1,982 inmates imprisoned in 10 States.

Abstract

Based on data regarding the acquisition of firearms, legitimate firearms retailers play a minor role as direct sources of the criminal handgun supply. Most of the respondents obtained weapons from theft, either directly or indirectly. Weapons obtained through cash or trades from friends or relatives were most likely stolen weapons. This suggests that the weapons market for felons can only be seriously affected by thwarting weapons theft and the informal sale of weapons. Regarding a ban on the manufacture or sale of cheap handguns, the study data indicate that the handguns preferred and most recently owned by the respondents, particularly those most inclined to use guns in crime, were more expensive, larger handguns. When respondents were queried about their response to various types of handgun controls, there was no indication that such controls would result in the use of less lethal weapons. Respondents would either secure more expensive, larger handguns or resort to the use of sawed-off shoulder weapons.