FIREARMS CONTROL - A STUDY OF ARMED CRIME AND FIREARMS CONTROL IN ENGLAND AND WALES

• NCJ Number: 13187
• Author(s): C GREENWOOD
• Date Published: 1972
• Length: 277 pages
• Sale Source: Routledge and Kegan Paul Ltd
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English

Annotation

DETAILED HISTORICAL ACCOUNT EMPHASIZING THE VIEW THAT CONTROL DOES NOT BRING ABOUT A REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF SERIOUS CRIMES IN WHICH A FIREARM IS USED OR CARRIED.

Abstract

THERE HAVE BEEN EFFORTS AT FIREARMS CONTROL LEGISLATION IN ENGLAND SINCE 1881. HOWEVER, THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT ONLY THE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS COMPLY WITH SUCH REGULATIONS. IT CANNOT BE SHOWN THAT PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS ARE AFFECTED BY THEM. THEY CAN STEAL FIREARMS OR OBTAIN THEM ON THE BLACK MARKET. TO CONTINUE ATTEMPTING TO DEAL WITH THE CRIMINAL USE OF FIREARMS BY PLACING MORE RESTRICTIONS ON LEGITIMATE USERS THROUGH FIREARMS CONTROL IS NOT LIKELY TO ACHIEVE THE DESIRED RESULT. THE GREATER DANGER LIES NOT IN THE INEFFECTIVENESS OF SUCH RESTRICTIONS, BUT IN A BELIEF THAT THEY WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. STATISTICS USED IN ESTABLISHING PUBLISHED FIGURES FOR OFFENSES IN WHICH A FIREARM WAS INVOLVED ARE MISLEADING BECAUSE THEY HAVE INCLUDED SUCH RELATIVELY MINOR OFFENSES AS THEFTS OF FIREARMS, DEALING IN STOLEN WEAPONS, ASSAULTS WITH AIR WEAPONS, AND DOMESTIC ASSAULTS. IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE STATISTICAL METHODS USED BE CORRECTED IN ORDER TO ELIMINATE THE CONFUSION PRODUCED BY SUCH AN INDISCRIMINATE MIXING OF FACTS. FIGURES ON ROBBERIES IN LONDON IN RECENT YEARS IN WHICH A FIREARM WAS CARRIED OR USED - A SERIOUS OFFENSE - CLEARLY INDICATE A CONTINUOUS, SUBSTANTIAL RISE. THIS IS A TYPE OF CRIME WHICH IS USUALLY COMMITTED BY PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS AND AGAINST WHICH THE AUTHOR FEELS CRIME PREVENTION EFFORTS SHOULD BE CONCENTRATED. IN AN APPENDIX THE AUTHOR GIVES HIS PERSONAL VIEW, PART OF WHICH HE ADMITS MAY WELL BE CONJECTURE AND MAY REFLECT HIS OWN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDES. THIS VIEW IS THAT THE RISE IN ROBBERIES IN WHICH A FIREARM WAS INVOLVED COINCIDES WITH THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN ENGLAND AND THAT THERE IS A CAUSAL RELATIONSHIP - THAT IS, THE ELIMINATION OF THE DEATH PENALTY HAS EMBOLDENED PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS TO ATTEMPT SUCH CRIMES MORE FREQUENTLY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)