Violent crime that is not politically motivated is most often perpetrated against the poor, who are more likely than the more affluent to become victims of rape, robbery, or burglary. Relatively little violent crime is interracial. Violence in urban areas, much of which is caused by youth, stems largely from a breakdown in parental and other social controls, as well as frustration in not being able to obtain material goods and upgrade living standards through legitimate channels. Some of these problems that fuel violence should be mitigated through the gradual process of ethnic and racial assimilation, which will produce more social equality and better educational opportunities. Other violence falling into the first broad category includes that perpetrated by organized crime and assassinations of public figures by deranged loners. Gun control could do much to reduce all types of violent crime. Violence masquerading as law and order has often been inflicted on blacks under repressive and unconstitutional laws. It cannot be justified when viewed from standards of justice and the responsibility of law enforcement to uphold the civil rights of all citizens. Violence associated with mass demonstrations and riots cannot be justified as a vehicle for achieving change no matter how commendable that change may be. The democratic structures of American society provide sufficient opportunity for change to be effected without violence, although frustration with the slowness of such change is understandable. Police have the responsibility of not provoking violence among demonstrators and of using only the force necessary to subdue those specific demonstrators engaging in violence.