NCJ Number
45227
Date Published
1977
Length
82 pages
Annotation
SIGNIFICANT ASPECTS OF THE CONTROVERSY OVER THE CONTROL OF HANDGUNS ARE EXAMINED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.
Abstract
THE CONTROVERSY OVER HANDGUN CONTROL CENTERS UPON THE RIGHT OF THE INDIVIDUAL TO OWN, USE, OR POSSESS FIREARMS AND THE RIGHT OF ALL PERSONS TO BE FREE FROM THE THREAT POSED BY HANDGUN MISUSE. THE RATIONALE OF THE REPORT IS BASED ON SEVERAL FACTORS: (1) WHILE MOST FIREARMS ARE USED STRICTLY FOR LEGITIMATE PURPOSES, SOME ARE USED TO COMMIT CRIMES; (2) HANDGUNS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A TREMENDOUS LOSS OF LIFE AS A RESULT OF ACCIDENTAL DISCHARGE; AND (3) BY THE VERY NATURE OF ITS LETHAL CAPABILITIES, THE HANDGUN HAS BEEN USED BY MANY TO COMMIT SUICIDE. FACTS AND ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONTROVERSY ARE PRESENTED, AND AVAILABLE DATA ON THE AVAILABILITY AND USE OF HANDGUNS ARE EXAMINED. THE 'SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL' AND THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING IT ARE DESCRIBED. THE CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION OF THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS, THE LEGITIMACY OF GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL OF FIREARMS, THE VARIOUS FORMS OF HANDGUN CONTROL PRESENTLY IN EFFECT, AND DIFFERING VIEWS ON PENALTIES FOR VIOLENT HANDGUN OFFENDERS ARE PRESENTED. THE QUESTION OF WHETHER HANDGUNS MAY HAVE SPORTING USES IS EXAMINED. FEDERAL AND GEORGIA LAWS REGARDING THE CONTROL OF FIREARMS ARE SUMMARIZED. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING GEORGIA LEGISLATION. OTHER SUGGESTIONS INCLUDE: PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON THE PROPER CARE AND HANDLING OF ALL FIREARMS; LEGISLATION TO BAN THE MANUFACTURE, POSSESSION AND SALE OF 'SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIALS'; AND PROVISIONS FOR LONGER TERMS OF INCARCERATION FOR REPEAT HANDGUN OFFENDERS AND RESTRICTIONS ON PLEA BARGAINING. APPENDIXES PROVIDE A DEFINITION OF THE 'SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL,' RESULTS OF NATIONAL OPINION POLLS ON THE ISSUE OF HANDGUN CONTROL RECOMMENDATIONS BY SEVERAL NATIONAL COMMISSIONS, GEORGIA COURT DECISIONS ON HANDGUNS, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (VDA).