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ATTITUDES AND OPINIONS OF PERSONS 16 TO 25 REGARDING HAND GUN CONTROL - EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NCJ Number
35200
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1975
Length
60 pages
Annotation
THE FEELINGS OF THIS AGE GROUP ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT, WAYS TO IMPROVE IT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND THEIR MEDIA HABITS AND PREFERENCES ARE SET FORTH. HANDGUN-RELATED CRIMES AND THEIR EFFECTIVENESS.
Abstract
THE 425 RESPONDENTS CAME FROM 14 TARGET COUNTIES IN FLORIDA. THE DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE BASE ARE OUTLINED IN CHART FORM. THE ORGINAL QUESTIONS AND ACCOMPANYING STATISTICS ARE DELINEATED. AMONG THE RESPONDENTS, 36 PERCENT THOUGHT CRIME COULD BE REDUCED THROUGH STRICTER SENTENCES, STIFFER PENALTIES, AND A RETURN TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENT. MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS FELT THAT THE COURTS DID NOT DEAL WITH CRIMINALS PROPERLY. THOSE PERSONS SURVEYED ENCOURAGED A LAW THAT WOULD REQUIRE A PERSON TO WAIT 2 OR MORE DAYS BEFORE BUYING A GUN. A LARGE MAJORITY OF THE RESPONDENTS THOUGHT THAT ALL GUNS SHOULD BE CONTROLLED. THE DATA CAN BE INTERPRETED TO MEAN THAT THE RESPONDENTS THOUGHT THAT CERTAIN GUN CONTROLS WERE NECESSARY, BUT THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE PREVENTED FROM OWNING OR HAVING GUNS. MOST OF THE RESPONDENTS WERE ABLE TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY A 'SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL'; HALF OF THEM THOUGHT THAT A BAN ON SUCH WEAPONS WOULD REDUCE CRIME. CONTRARY TO OTHER EVIDENCE, HALF OF THE PERSONS POLLED HAD A GREAT DEAL OF RESPECT FOR LAW OFFICERS, 35 PERCENT HAD SOME RESPECT, AND ONLY 14 PERCENT HAD VERY LITTLE RESPECT. OVER 75 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS THOUGHT THAT A MURDER PENALTY SHOULD SPAN A MINIMUM OF 10 YEARS; 33 PERCENT WERE IN FAVOR OF A DEATH PENALTY. ALMOST THREE-FOURTHS OF THOSE PERSONS POLLED FAVORED A 6- TO 10-YEAR PENALTY FOR PERSONS CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. MOST PERSONS FELT THAT A SIMILIAR TERM WOULD BE SUITABLE FOR ROBBERS. AN OVERWHELMING 92 PERCENT OF THE RESPONDENTS THOUGHT THAT THE COUNTY SHERIFF SHOULD BE ELECTED, NOT APPOINTED. MOST PERSONS WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF SENATE BILL 55, WHICH WOULD SENTENCE PERSONS CONVICTED OF A MAJOR CRIME, AND WHO HAD A GUN OR DESTRUCTIVE WEAPON ON THEIR PERSON, TO A MINIMUM 3-YEAR SENTENCE. FURTHER OPINIONS ABOUT SENATE BILL 55 WERE SOLICITED AND ARE REPORTED. TELEVISION WAS THOUGHT TO BE A GOOD MEDIUM TO INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT THE NEW LAW. CONVENTIONAL MEDIA SOURCES LED THE PREFERENCE LIST, BUT STORE POSTERS WERE UNEXPECTEDLY INFLUENTIAL. THE PROPORTION OF CRIME APPEARED TO BE RELATED TO THE SIZE OF THE COMMUNITY; THE LARGER THE COMMUNITY THE MORE LIKELY FOR A CRIME TO OCCUR. AMONG THE RESPONDENTS, 15 PERCENT HAD BEEN IN JAIL, AND 20 PERCENT OWNED A HANDGUN. A SUMMARY AND A BRIEF ANALYSIS ACCOMPANY EACH QUESTION. TABULAR DATA ARE PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE SURVEY REPORT. (JSP)

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