NCJ Number
102583
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 14 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1986) Pages: 242-249
Date Published
1986
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the pilot test of a handgun safety public information program in Charlotte, N.C., in April 1985.
Abstract
The activities of Handgun Safety Month were devised by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) and the Handgun Information Center (HIC). The Charlotte Police Department implemented the program under funding and technical assistance provided by PERF and HIC. The month's activities consisted of television and radio announcements and appearances, advertisements in the print media, presentations to community groups, brochure distribution, and safety demonstrations. The evaluation, which was conducted in the 4 months following the campaign, hypothesized that persons exposed and not exposed to the campaign would differ in (1) their storing of guns and ammunition, (2) in teaching their children handgun safety, (3) in taking a handgun safety course, (4) in checking their handguns before cleaning them, and (5) in purchasing handguns. Questionnaires were administered to a random sample of 850 residents secured by a random digit dialing technique based on area telephone prefix numbers. Forty-six percent were aware of the campaign. Only one of the hypotheses was supported: those exposed to the campaign were more likely to lock up their handguns. 3 tables and 23 references.