NCJ Number
165585
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This presentation summarizes research conducted in California to test hypotheses related to the risk of future criminal activity among authorized handgun purchasers who have prior criminal histories.
Abstract
The research focused on the primary prevention of firearm-related violence and was prompted by awareness that gunshot wounds cause large numbers of deaths. The study used a historical cohort design to compare 6,831 legal gun purchasers who had prior criminal histories with a comparison group of 2,795 legal gun purchasers with no criminal histories. The comparison group was purposely made much smaller; only about 15 percent of legal gun purchasers have prior criminal histories. The participants purchased their guns in California in 1977 and were followed through 1991 or to the end of their residence in California, whichever occurred earlier. Data sources included the State's registry of dealer records and official criminal history records. Results indicated that most authorized gun purchasers had no criminal history and no future criminal activity. However, persons with criminal histories were at a higher risk of subsequent offenses. The degree of risk was related to the severity of the prior history. It was noted that current Federal criteria allow high-risk individuals to purchase handguns. Findings indicated that the criteria for denial of gun purchases could be broadened based on empirical data. Further research is being conducted. The speaker is a former emergency medicine physician and the current Director of the Violence Prevention Program at the University of California at Davis. Introduction and concluding remarks by National Institute of Justice Director Jeremy Travis, questions from audience members, and answers by the speaker