NCJ Number
167206
Journal
Journal of the Medical Association of Georgia Volume: 84 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 253-263
Date Published
1995
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This article rejects the view that restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns will assist in the prevention and reduction of violence and argues that citizen access to guns contributes to citizens' defense against violence; a strategy for countering victimization from violence is proposed.
Abstract
Gun bans and draconian restrictions on gun possession will not reduce criminals' access to guns, but rather will disproportionately disarm good citizens and deprive them of the right to protect themselves with the most effective weapon against criminal victimization. Gun control thus does more harm than good, given evidence that shows many more Americans protect themselves with guns than are harmed by guns. The authors propose a research and policy agenda to help reduce violence. There should be oversight of the competence and integrity of additional tax-funded research pertinent to policy toward guns, and existing law against violent crime should be effectively enforced. Also, existing laws that counter the true sources of criminals' guns should be enforced, i.e., laws that target the illegal "black market" in stolen guns. Further, the ownership and use of guns should be treated the same as cars, completely, consistently, and constitutionally; specifically, this means that mentally competent, law-abiding adults should be able to carry concealed firearms for protection in public with no "need" required to be demonstrated. Efforts to reduce the economic and social conditions that foster violent behavior should also be emphasized. Relevant measures should include welfare reform, improvement in life and career opportunities for the poor, the mitigation of media violence, the promotion of conflict resolution training, and an end to the "scapegoating" of guns and gun owners as the cause of violent victimization. 98 references