NCJ Number
155131
Date Published
1993
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This paper counters claims put forth by gun control advocates that assault weapons are increasingly becoming the weapon of choice for drug dealers and other violent criminals.
Abstract
Some of the issues raised in this paper pertain to the definition of semi-automatic versions of military-origin small arms as assault weapons, the apparent worldwide public relations offensive to ban semi-automatic firearms, and the claimed suppression of evidence by gun control supporters. This author presents statistics to bolster his arguments that a policy banning assault weapons would violate the civil rights of gun owners and fail to achieved purported crime prevention goals. He calls on the pro-gun side to transform the debate into one in which emotion is pitted against emotion. Specifically, opponents of gun control should gain greater exposure for people who used their guns for self-defense. Pro-gun groups should invite politicians and media representatives to demonstration shoots to educate them about issues related to semi-automatic and automatic weapons. 71 references