NCJ Number
79098
Journal
Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science Volume: 455 Dated: (May 1981) Pages: 24-39
Date Published
1981
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article compares results from two 1978 national public opinion surveys on gun control and related weapons-policy issues.
Abstract
One survey was commissioned by the National Rifle Association, while the other was commissioned by the Center for the Study and Prevention of Handgun Violence. Despite the vastly different outlooks of the two sponsoring organizations, the results from both surveys are nearly identical everywhere a direct comparison is possible. Together, the two surveys thus provide a detailed empirical portrait of the state of popular thinking on the regulation of private arms in the United States. Results from both surveys show that large majorities favor any measure involving the registration or licensing of handguns, both for new purchases and for handguns presently owned. The public would not favor such measures if their costs were astronomical; similarly, there is substantial agreement that such measures would only be effective if they were uniform across the States. Little popular support exists for an outright ban on private ownership of handguns, although a majority would favor a ban on the manufacture and sale of 'Saturday Night Specials.' Large majorities believe they have a right to own guns and that the Constitution guarantees that right; most people think that a licensing requirement for handgun ownership would not be a violation of that right. No more than about half of the population thinks that stricter controls would decrease the crime rate; many measures other than stricter weapons control are thought to be more effective to this end. Virtually everyone thinks that criminals will always be able to acquire guns no matter what laws are passed. Finally, most everyone favors strict and mandatory sentences for persons using guns to commit crimes. A total of 17 footnotes are included. (Author summary modified)