PEOPLE VS HANDGUNS - THE CAMPAIGN TO BAN HANDGUNS IN MASSACHUSETTS

• NCJ Number: 44558
• Author(s): J V HOLMBERG; M CLANCY; J GUZIEC; P D NICHOLS; J LATHAM; D AIKEN
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 174 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: George Gund Foundation
• Sale Source: United States Conference of Mayors
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE TEXT DETAILS THE LEGISLATIVE AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF HANDGUN CONTROL IN MASSACHUSETTS, DESCRIBES THE HANDGUN REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN, AND ANALYZES THE RESULTING VOTE WHICH DEFEATED THE REFERENDUM.

Abstract

THE REPORT ALSO PROVIDES AN INSIGHT INTO THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS ITSELF. IN MANY RESPECTS THE HANDGUN REFERENDUM DRIVE BECAME A NATIONAL AS WELL AS A STATE ISSUE. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME A SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE PETITION CAMPAIGN ON HANDGUN CONTROL HAD BEEN MOUNTED AND, ALTHOUGH IT WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL AT THE POLLS, THE FACT THAT THE INITIATIVE PETITION PROCESS WAS AVAILABLE AND WAS UTILIZED BY CITIZENS IS VIEWED AS IMPORTANT. THIS REPORT REFLECTS BOTH THE SUCCESS AND THE FAILURE OF THE CAMPAIGN TO BAN HANDGUNS. SUPPORTING MATERIALS AND INDEX ARE APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).