NCJ Number
35313
Journal
Congressional Record Dated: (DECEMBER 19, 1976) Pages: 22946-22953
Date Published
1976
Length
8 pages
Annotation
THE RESULTS OF AN INDEPTH SURVEY OF PUBLIC ATTITUDES ON FIREARMS AND CRIME ARE EXAMINED IN THIS LETTER FROM THE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY AND IN ENCLOSED EXCERPTS FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD.
Abstract
A SURVEY OF 1,538 REGISTERED VOTERS ACROSS THE U.S. WAS TAKEN FROM SEPTEMBER 29 THROUGH OCTOBER 8, 1975, BY AN INDEPENDENT SURVEY RESEARCH FIRM IN CALIFORNIA. THE SURVEY ESTABLISHED THAT 82 PERCENT OF AMERICANS BELIEVE THAT LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN GUNS. AMONG THOSE QUESTIONED, 84 PERCENT FELT THAT HANDGUN REGISTRATION WOULD NOT PREVENT CRIMINALS FROM OBTAINING GUNS FOR ILLEGAL PURPOSES. A TOTAL OF 86 PERCENT OF THOSE POLLED RATED CONGRESS' PERFORMANCE IN SOLVING CRIME AS POOR OR ONLY FAIR; ONLY 13 PERCENT RATED LEGISLATORS AS GOOD OR EXCELLENT. SURVEY MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THE SENATE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD DESCRIBES THE RESEARCH DESIGN OF THE SURVEY AND EXAMINES THE SAMPLE SELECTION PROCEDURE. SOME VERBATIM RESPONSES ARE INCLUDED. THE SURVEY ILLUSTRATES THAT MANY AMERICANS LACK RUDIMENTARY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT FEDERAL GUN LAWS. THE RESPONDENTS' ARGUMENTS ABOUT GUN CONTROL ARE CONTRASTED WITH GOVERNMENT ARGUMENTS. GUN OWNERSHIP PATTERNS ARE ILLUSTRATED. KEY FINDINGS OF THE SURVEY ARE SUMMARIZED, INCLUDING: (1) THE STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR GUN CONTROL EXISTS IN NEW ENGLAND, AMONG YOUNG VOTERS, LIBERALS, AND WOMEN; (2) THE GREATEST OPPOSITION EXISTS IN THE SOUTH, IN THE MOUNTAIN STATES, IN RURAL AREAS, AND AMONG THE MIDDLE-AGED, CONSERVATIVES, AND MEN; (3) AMERICAN ATTITUDES ON GUN CONTROL ARE STILL VERY FLUID; AND (4) MANY AMERICANS REJECT THE NOTION THAT POLICE SHOULD BE GIVEN THE POWER TO DECIDE WHO SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT OWN A GUN. THESE SURVEY RESULTS APPEARED IN THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--SENATE ON DECEMBER 19, 1975. (JSP)