NCJ Number
145941
Journal
Crime, Law and Social Change Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: (September 1993) Pages: 89-97
Date Published
1993
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This paper examines the political dynamics of reactions to a bill in the Louisiana legislature that would apparently mandate that local sheriffs allow any law-abiding citizens the right to carry concealed weapons.
Abstract
Gun ownership and control issues remain divisive in academic and in public policy formation and media opinion- making. Despite the recent publication of comprehensive monographs on the subject of gun ownership and how it relates to law, culture, and social structure, little is known about the actual practice of promulgating and applying various regulations. The implementation of apparently permissive gun-carry permit legislation in Louisiana has been obscured by politicians and law enforcement officials for largely political reasons. Racial and class-oriented subtexts are inherent in local and State-level political maneuvers, although issues about liability are often invoked when permits are not granted. Nearly all major players in this micro-level analysis are unwilling to discuss the issues involved. Consequently, even those charged with granting the permits claim not to know what the gun-carry law actually means. The result is delay, confusion, and ill- will. 5 references