NCJ Number
52629
Date Published
1978
Length
12 pages
Annotation
REASONS BEHIND THE FAILURE OF CONGRESS TO RESPOND TO THE PUBLIC'S DESIRE FOR RESTRICTIVE GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION ARE EXPLORED.
Abstract
A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE USE OF FIREARMS IN THE UNITED STATES INDICATES THAT THERE IS LITTLE IF ANY JUSTIFICATION FOR INDIVIDUAL OWNERSHIP OF HANDGUNS, ALTHOUGH THERE EXISTS A DEMAND FOR RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS (E.G., FOR HUNTING PURPOSES). STUDIES HAVE SHOWN A DISTINCT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE EXISTENCE OF FIREARMS AND THE INCIDENCE OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE. NATIONAL SURVEYS INDICATE THAT THE MAJORITY OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, INCLUDING GUN OWNERS, FAVOR GUN CONTROLS, FAVOR STRICTER LAWS REQUIRING THE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF GUNS, AND WOULD VOTE FOR POLITICIANS WHO FAVOR STRICTER CONTROLS OF FIREARMS. THE QUESTION ARISES AS TO WHY FEDERAL GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION IS NOT PASSED. THE POPULAR BELIEF IS THAT THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATIONS AND SIMILAR GROUPS BLOCK GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION. BUT THESE GROUPS DO NOT APPEAR TO WIELD ENOUGH POWER TO CONTROL THE OUTCOME OF LEGISLATION. A COMPARISON OF THE VOTING RECORDS OF REPRESENTATIVES FROM DISTRICTS WITH AND WITHOUT GUN INDUSTRY INDICATES THAT THE INDUSTRY PROBABLY DOES NOT INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION OF FEDERAL LEGISLATION. A TWOFOLD PROBLEM EXISTS: FINDING A SOLUTION TO THE ENORMOUS SOCIAL PROBLEM OF FIREARMS AND CONVINCING GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (LKM)