IT SUMMARIZES THE COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF THE NUMEROUS HANDGUN CONTROL ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ADDRESSING BOTH THE EMOTIONAL AND THE TECHNICAL OR HOW-TO ASPECTS OF HANDGUN CONTROL ORGANIZING. THE FOCUS OF THE MANUAL IS ON THE SOLUTION OF A COMMON PROBLEM IN SOCIAL ACTIVIST MOVEMENTS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED - THE TENDENCY TO ORGANIZE AND UNDERTAKE PROJECTS ON AN INDIVIDUAL BASIS, RATHER THAN CAREFULLY THINKING THEM THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS REQUIRED TO CHANGE BOTH OPINION AND PRACTICE. THAT PROCESS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING KEY ELEMENTS: RESEARCHING ALL ASPECTS OF THE ISSUE; SECURING THE NECESSARY FUNDS TO OPERATE; RECRUITING, REWARDING, AND RETAINING MEMBERS, STAFF, AND SUPPORTERS; DEVELOPING GOALS AND STRATEGIES; DECIDING KEY ORGANIZATIONAL QUESTIONS: AND MAINTAINING CONSENSUS AND UNITY WITHIN A GROUP AND ITS COALITION MEMBERS. OTHER TOPICS COVERED ARE HOW TO DEAL WITH INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PROBLEMS, DEVELOPING AND USING EFFECTIVE ACTION TOOLS AND UNDERTAKING REALISTIC PROJECTS, AND CARRYING OUT EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP. THE APPENDIX CONTAINS SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL, PROGRAM AND PUBLICITY, AND LEGISLATIVE MATERIALS. A TWO-PAGE HANDGUN CONTROL BIBLIOGRAPHY, A LIST OF PERTINENT COURT CASES, AND A SUBJECT INDEX ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)...ELW