EVIDENCE RELATING HANDGUN AVAILABILITY TO VIOLENCE IS REVIEWED, IN ORDER TO DEMONSTRATE THE NEED FOR STRINGENT HANDGUN CONTROL LEGISLATION. POLICY ALTERNATIVES ARE ANALYZED IN TERMS OF BENEFITS, COSTS, CONSEQUENCES, AND RELEVANT POLITICAL FORCES. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT MASSACHUSETTS RESTRICT HANDGUN POSSESSION TO POLICE OFFICERS, MILITARY PERSONNEL REQUIRED TO CARRY SIDEARMS, MANUFACTURERS, MUSEUMS, AND LICENSED GUN CLUBS. ALL OTHER OWNERS WOULD BE REQUIRED TO SURRENDER THEIR FIREARMS IN RETURN FOR COMPENSATION EQUAL TO THE FAIR MARKET VALUE OF THESE WEAPONS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)