Title: Police Chiefs’ Perceptions of the Regulation of Firearms

Publication Date: April 2006

What does it say?

This study assessed the support for various types of gun control measures by police chiefs in cities across the nation, along with their perceptions regarding firearms as a public health issue, and the likelihood of initiating gun control advocacy activities.

The data collected for this study comes from a sample of 600 police chiefs in cities with populations larger than 25,000 citizens with a response rate of 67.5% (405 respondents). The majority of police chiefs surveyed supported the proposed firearm control policies, including background checks on handgun and long gun purchases, tamper resistant serial numbers, and prohibiting civilians from carrying firearms in a public setting, among many other policies. Most police chiefs (62%) also believed that the government should do everything in its power to prevent handguns from reaching the hands of criminals, even if it makes it tougher for law-abiding individuals to purchase a firearm. Though the majority of police chiefs were not likely to participate in advocacy activities, those that would participate in these activities were most likely to meet with or write a letter to state legislators regarding gun regulation.

In brief, police chiefs support many potential firearm control policies that could save lives and prevent incidents of gun violence from occurring.

How can I use it?

Use this study to help advocate for extending gun control regulations, such as extending Brady criminal background checks for all firearm sales, a policy in which a majority of police chiefs do support.

Citation

Thompson, A., JH Price, JA Dake, and T. Tatchell, “Police Chiefs’ Perceptions of the Regulation of Firearms,” American Journal of Preventive Medicine 30(4) (April 2006):305-312

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