Homicide is often the result of a violent outburst in which the intention to kill is ambiguous. Homicide is seen as being largely a function of the extent to which assaults are carried out with deadly weapons. This is consistent with the findings of Gastil (1971) and Hackney (1969) since firearms appear to be most accessible in the South. The theory is generally supported by the data. However, although the accessibility of firearms is found to be an important determinant of homicide, this is not the case for the restrictiveness of gun control legislation. It is concluded that current gun control laws do not seem to reduce the accessibility of firearms. Several reasons are given why the currently existing gun control legislation cannot logically be expected to reduce homicide. Tables, diagrams, and about 145 references are included. (Author abstract modified)