NCJ Number
12643
Date Published
1973
Length
448 pages
Annotation
ACCOUNT OF EFFORTS TO ABOLISH THE PRIVATE POSSESSION OF FIREARMS IN THE UNITED STATES FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF OPPONENTS OF GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION.
Abstract
FEW SUBJECTS HAVE SPARKED AS MUCH CONTROVERSY AND EMOTION IN RECENT YEARS AS GUN CONTROL. THE AUTHOR, A DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION, ASSERTS THAT GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES HAVE OFTEN USED QUESTIONABLE METHODS TO AROUSE PUBLIC SUPPORT FOR THEIR CAUSE, RANGING FROM INNOCENT MISINFORMATION TO OPEN INNUENDO AND DELIBERATE MANIPULATION OF FACTS. HE DOES NOT ATTEMPT TO FURNISH ALL THE ARGUMENTS ON THE ISSUE, BUT QUOTES STATEMENTS AND REPORTS ACTIONS BY KEY PERSONS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CONTROVERSY. MUCH OF THE MATERIAL IS BASED ON THE AUTHOR'S OWN INVOLVEMENT IN RESISTING GUN CONTROL EFFORTS IN HIS HOME STATE OF ILLINOIS. HE ALSO REPRODUCES PORTIONS OF TESTIMONY IN CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS, REPORTS OF CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES, AND COVERAGE OF THE ISSUE BY THE PRESS. HE ARGUES THAT THIS MATERIAL DEMONSTRATES AN UNWARRANTED EFFORT TO DEPRIVE CITIZENS OF AN IMPORTANT RIGHT TO SELF-DEFENSE AT A TIME IN OUR HISTORY WHEN INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES ARE THREATENED BY MORE AND MORE CONTROL. HE ALSO ASSERTS THAT THE FACTS CONTAINED IN THIS MATERIAL SHOW THAT EXISTING LAWS, IF ENFORCED, WOULD PROVIDE MORE THAN ADEQUATE RESTRAINT ON VIOLENCE WITH FIREARMS. A FURTHER IMPLICATION IS THAT WE NEED HARSHER PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE WHO USE GUNS TO COMMIT CRIME, RATHER THAN THE DISARMING OF THOSE WHO USE GUNS FOR LEGITIMATE RECREATION AND SELF-DEFENSE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED) (SNI ABSTRACT)