NCJ Number
159377
Date Published
1996
Length
7 pages
Annotation
While gun control advocates argue that violence and crime increase in proportion to the number of guns circulating throughout society, the author believes the presence of large number of guns in the possession of citizens deters criminals from committing violent crimes.
Abstract
Gun control laws do not work, primarily because illicit markets easily adapt to government restrictions on gun purchase and possession. As a violence prevention approach, gun control laws must be based on two related questions: (1) what is the connection between civilian possession of firearms and social violence; and (2) how can gun control laws change people's behavior. Citizen compliance with gun control laws and the debate over whether guns increase crime rates are discussed. The author concludes that gun control laws unfavorably affect violent crime rates.