NCJ Number
180990
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2000 Pages: 48-51
Date Published
January 2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article provides comments by law enforcement professionals and other knowledgeable experts regarding the current state and future of gun control legislation.
Abstract
Gun shows and unregulated or unreported dealer sales are often cited as major sources of problems for law enforcement and gun control in general. Carl Bogus, associate professor of law at Roger Williams University, maintains that "It is politics that stops gun regulations extending to gun shows. There is no public policy that makes these places loopholes for gun regulation." New legislation might be needed to close up the gun show "freeway" for criminals. Background checks and waiting periods are an important part of gun control and of keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals. The biggest debate over the last 6 months has been over the question of background checks at gun shows. Gun buy-back programs have become popular in recent years, but have come under fire lately as ineffective in keeping firearms out of the hands of criminals. The tracking of illegal firearms or firearms used in the commission of a crime is an important element of solving the problem of gun violence. Many law enforcement pundits do not want more laws and regulations for guns until the current laws are more stringently enforced. Most police officials believe that prosecution and punishment is an effective deterrent to future gun crimes. The future of gun control is difficult to predict, because it depends so much on the political winds; however, as fewer Americans are owning and using guns, this trend may mean stronger citizen support for laws perceived to limit access to guns.