NCJ Number
14731
Journal
Criminologist Volume: 8 Issue: 28 Dated: (SPRING 1973) Pages: 50-58
Date Published
1973
Length
9 pages
Annotation
ARGUMENT THAT NO POSITIVE CORRELATION EXISTS BETWEEN THE PREVALENCE OF CIVILIAN-OWNED FIREARMS AND THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENT CRIME.
Abstract
THIS PAPER HAS ATTEMPTED TO BREAK THROUGH THE WALL OF EMOTIONAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS FIREARMS CONTROLS UTILISING SOME BASIC CRIMINAL STATISTICS. SWITZERLAND, WITH A VERY LIBERAL GUN CONTROL POLICY, IS NOT BOTHERED MUCH WITH SERIOUS, VIOLENT CRIME. THE POLICE DO NOT EVEN RECORD THE USE OF FIREARMS IN CRIME. THE UNITED KINGDOM, WITH A LONG TRADITION OF UNARMED POLICE OFFICERS AND STRICT CONTROL OF FIREARMS, IS FACING A CRISIS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. IT IS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THIS MODEST ARTICLE TO EXAMINE THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THIS RECENT OUTBREAK OF ASSAULTATIVE CRIME IN ENGLAND. ONE FACET OF THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXAMINED - THE RELATIONSHIP OF FIREARMS CONTROLS AND CRIME - AND IT SEEMS OBVIOUS THAT THE GUN THAT READILY IDENTIFIABLE, VISIBLE, EMOTION-CHARGED FOCUS OF PUBLIC ATTENTION - DOES NOT UNDERLIE THE COMMISSION OF CRIME. THE BASIC CAUSES OF CRIME ARE TOO DEEPLY ROOTED IN SOCIETY TO BE AFFECTED BY THE PRESENCE OR ABSENCE OF THE PARTICULAR TOOL CHOSEN BY THE CRIMINAL TO CONSUMMATE HIS DEED. KILLERS COMMIT HOMICIDE AND THIEVES COMMIT ROBBERY WITH WHATEVER WEAPON IS AVAILABLE. IF GUNS COULD BE REMOVED COMPLETELY FROM THE ENVIRONMENT (WHICH IS HUMANLY IMPOSSIBLE AS WE HAVE SEEN), THERE WOULD BE NO MORE HOMICIDES OR ROBBERIES WITH GUNS, BUT THERE WOULD BE HOMICIDES AND ROBBERIES. THE OBVIOUS IMPLICATION IS THAT THE WEAPON CHOSEN IS NO MORE THAN A MIRROR OF PATTERNS OF CULTURAL ACTIVITY IN THE PARTICULAR SOCIETY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)