The research focused on the presentation of gun issues in the New York Times and its relationship to changes in the number of congressional hearings on gun control, as indicated in The Congressional Masterfile. The study counted all Federal, State, and local policy stories that discussed gun control under the firearms topic heading. It also examined references under other category headings such as crime, guns, and hunting, to ensure a count of all stories about the issue. Stories about gun crimes and accidents were excluded unless they were linked to the gun control debate. The analysis also focused on the implementation of two pieces of Federal gun legislation as case studies to identify the role of the media in Federal criminal justice policy making more clearly. Results indicated that the media affect the Federal policy process in three ways. First, the media can open a window of opportunity to consider policy change. Second, the media can promote a limited range of policy alternatives. Third, the media can promote the interests of policy entrepreneurs. Figure and 31 references (Author abstract modified)