NCJ Number
147137
Journal
Behavioral Sciences and the Law Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (Autumn 1993) Pages: 353-360
Date Published
1993
Length
8 pages
Annotation
A survey of 815 randomly selected adult residents of Virginia was used to assess public opinion regarding a handgun control law which allows the purchase of no more than one handgun per month in the State. The law was designed to prevent gun traffickers from buying large quantities of weapons.
Abstract
The poll results showed a consensus of support among Virginians for a monthly limit on handgun purchases. Supporters of the law were most likely to be female, older, and nonwhite, while opponents were more likely to be younger, male, white, from rural areas, and handgun owners. While certain subgroups were more opposed to the one-gun-a-month law than others, support never dropped below 50 percent for any subgroup included in this study. Individuals who have traditionally been less likely to support gun control initiatives, including hunters and gun owners, supported this proposal at a relatively high rate, due to the widespread perception that the law would not inconvenience legitimate gun owners. 2 tables, 3 notes, and 18 references