The booklet critically reviews myths about handgun ownership relating to self-protection, constitutional rights, sporting uses, and the 'Saturday Night Special.' This analysis demonstrates that the amount of death and injury caused by handguns has increased as handgun ownership has risen and that handguns have little sporting purpose except for target shooting. Moreover, the Constitution does not guarantee an unrestricted personal right to bear handguns, and Federal courts have upheld the validity of handgun control statutes. Finally, 'Saturday Night Specials,' a term that covers a variety of handguns whose most common characteristic is low cost, are not the most frequently used weapons they are thought to be. The most concealable handguns, those with barrel lengths of 3 inches or less known as snubbies, are used disproportionately in crimes of violence but have few legal uses because of their poor accuracy. The report surveys handgun control laws in Canada, Japan, and several European countries, legislative attempts to regulate firearms in the United States, the Gun Control Act of 1968, and State and local laws. It also describes the following methods of control; legislative options such as licensing, registration, and bans on possession or sale of handguns; administrative discretion; and court litigation. The book discusses the gun control controversy as a public health issue and from the victim's perspective. Appendixes include recommendations from national commissions, a list of organizations working to reduce handgun violence, 26 references, and footnotes.