NCJ Number
145578
Journal
Law Enforcement Quarterly Dated: (November 1993-January 1994) Pages: 15-19,32-34
Date Published
1993
Length
36 pages
Annotation
Statutes attempting to regulate possession and use of firearms are spread throughout many code books. Police officer mastery of the myriad laws on firearms is important for effective law enforcement.
Abstract
A firearm is any device designed to be used as a weapon, from which a projectile is expelled through a barrel by the force of any explosion or other form of combustion. Laws regulating firearms are found in seven categories: the type or condition of the firearm; who has possession of it; where it is possessed; how it was used; the intent of the possessor; the obtaining or transferring of it; sentence enhancements and probation restrictions. The article includes examples of firearms covered under various statutes, exceptions to statutes' provisions, and police procedures in certain situations involving firearms possession and use. There is a table of 120 firearms statutes, which includes brief descriptions of the statutes and the maximum punishment for violations. Footnotes