NCJ Number
152273
Date Published
1992
Length
470 pages
Annotation
This book analyzes how firearms laws actually work in democracies whose approaches to gun control are often recommended to the American public.
Abstract
The author explores the gun-control laws and policies of Japan, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, and Switzerland. The gun-control and violent-crime patterns in these countries are explored in their historical, criminological, and cultural contexts. The author concludes that, contrary to the claims of the American gun-control movement, gun control does not account for the low crime rates in the nations examined. Despite strict and sometimes draconian gun controls in other nations, guns remain readily available on the criminal black market. Gun control has not reduced crime; in fact, it has encouraged burglary. Gun registration has proven itself valueless in solving or preventing crime. The author further argues that social control is far more important than gun control. A realistic American gun policy must accept the permanence of guns in American life. The encouragement of nature, responsible gun use is the policy best suited to the United States. Chapter notes and a subject index