NCJ Number
148078
Journal
Health Affairs Volume: 12 Issue: 4 Dated: special issue (Winter 1993) Pages: 198-208
Date Published
1993
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The authors review the results of public opinion polls on gun policy since 1987.
Abstract
The public believes, contrary to Supreme Court rulings, that the Second Amendment guarantees individuals' right to bear arms. Nonetheless, a majority of Americans favors every gun control option--short of a complete ban--tested in this study. Specifically, the public favors: 1) banning the manufacture, possession, and sale of "Saturday night specials" and assault weapons; 2) stricter regulation of the sale of all firearms and handguns in particular, but not all handguns; 3) a waiting period before purchasing a handgun; and 4) registration of all guns and requiring a license to carry a gun outside one's home. Policymakers should pay close attention to their constituents' support for these options. 2 graphs, 42 references