STUDIES CONCLUSIVELY SHOW THAT WHERE FIREARMS ARE READILY AVAILABLE, THEY WILL BE FREQUENTLY USED AS A METHOD OF KILLING. REDUCTION IN THE AVAILABILITY OF FIREARMS, HOWEVER, CANNOT BE SHOWN UNEQUIVOCALLY TO CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE RATE OF VIOLENT DEATHS. THIS SUGGESTS THAT, IN THE ABSENCE OF FIREARMS, PERSONS WHO INTEND TO CAUSE DEATH AS A MEANS OF COPING WITH CONFLICT AND FRUSTRATION AND RESOLVING PERCEIVED DIFFICULTIES WILL FIND OTHER MEANS FOR ACHIEVING THEIR ENDS. THE ABSENCE OF CLEAR CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE RESULTS TO BE ACHIEVED FROM STRICT GUN CONTROL SUGGESTS THAT A POLICY OF PERMITTING GUN OWNERSHIP FOR THOSE WHO MEET CERTAIN STANDARDS WHILE PROHIBITING IT TO THOSE CONSIDERED HIGH-RISK WOULD BE A RATIONAL COMPROMISE BETWEEN THE EXTREMES OF THOSE FAVORING AND OPPOSING GUN CONTROL. A HANDGUN USER, WHETHER THAT PERSON USES GUNS FOR SPORT OR PROTECTION, WOULD BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO SCREENING PROCEDURES, SUCH AS SUITABLE PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS THAT COULD BE QUICKLY ADMINISTERED. PERSONS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS OR HISTORIES OF MENTAL ILLNESS WOULD NOT BE PERMITTED TO OWN GUNS. ALSO, BEFORE ANY APPROVED APPLICANT COULD PURCHASE A FIREARM, HE/SHE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO PRODUCE A TRAINING CERTIFICATE FROM AN APPROVED COURSE IN FIREARMS USE AND SAFETY. A REFRESHER COURSE WOULD BE NECESSARY BEFORE EACH LICENSE RENEWAL. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)