NCJ Number
47877
Date Published
1976
Length
45 pages
Annotation
THIS LEGISLATIVE ANALYSIS EXAMINES THE GUN CONTROL BILLS CURRENTLY PENDING BEFORE THE 94TH CONGRESS, EXPLORES THE BASIC ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN DEBATED, AND PRESENTS THE MAJOR ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST FEDERAL GUN CONTROLS.
Abstract
THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF FEDERAL GUN CONTROL EFFORTS FROM THE WAR REVENUE ACT OF 1919 TO BILLS CURRENTLY PENDING IS BRIEFLY OUTLINED. THE STATED PURPOSES OF THE PRIMARY BILLS PRESENTED BEFORE CONGRESS DURING THIS TIME ARE SUMMARIZED. THE BASIC ISSUES WHICH HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY DEBATED WITH REGARD TO GUN CONTROL ARE OUTLINED, AND ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONTROVERSY ARE INCLUDED. SEVERAL IMPORTANT AREAS OF CONCERN WHICH HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED BY OPPONENTS OF GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION ARE DISMISSED. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, PARTICULARLY THE SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, AND VARIOUS SUPREME COURT DECISIONS CONCERNING THIS RIGHT ARE EXAMINED. THE DEBATE OVER THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN GUN CONTROL AND CRIME CONTROL AND THE PRIMARY ARGUMENTS SUPPORTING OR REFUTING THE CLAIM THAT CONTROLLING GUNS WILL HELP REDUCE CRIME ARE PRESENTED. ANOTHER ISSUE CONCERNS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF GUN CONTROL; OPPONENTS QUESTION THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ANY LAW THAT DEPENDS ON THE COOPERATION OF CRIMINALS FOR ITS ENFORCEMENT. A FINAL POINT OF CONTENTION IN THE GUN CONTROL DEBATE INVOLVES THE 'SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL,' OR MORE PRECISELY, JUST WHAT SPECIFIC HANDGUNS WOULD BE CONTROLLED UNDER ANY NEW LEGISLATION. THE PROBLEM ARISES BECAUSE THE TERM 'SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL' IS AMBIGUOUS. A FINAL SECTION OF THE ANALYSIS SUMMARIZES THE SIGNIFICANT PROVISIONS OF THE TWO MAJOR GUN CONTROL BILLS BEFORE THE 94TH CONGRESS (H.R. 11193 AND THE BAYH BILL) AND OF RELATED PROPOSALS. (VDA)