Title: Robbery Violence

Publication Date: August 1987

What does it say?

This report examines the violence associated with robberies, looking specifically in-depth at the impact and effects that gun robberies have on society.

The use of a gun in a robbery appears to increase the chance that a serious injury or death will occur, as opposed to the use of another type of weapon. In 1981, 65% of all robbery murder cases involved a gun, even though guns were used in only 17% of robberies committed. Gun robbery is generally perceived as much more serious and dangerous because of the lethality of firearm use.

To help combat against the gun robbery rate and robbery murder rate, effective policies to discourage the use of these lethal weapons must be enacted. This report suggests that implementing effective gun policies such as background checks for all gun sales and harsher sentences for gun robberies will reduce the violence and death associated with these crimes. According to the report, “It is estimated that a reduction in gun robberies would save approximately five times as many lives as the same reduction in non-gun robberies” (p. 358).

How can I use it?

This report can be used to help advocate for background checks on all gun purchases, strengthening the powers of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) to prevent lethal violence, and establish better gun monitoring practices. Keeping guns out of a criminal’s hands is the best way to prevent robbery-related violence before it occurs.

Citation

Cook, Philip J., “Robbery Violence,” Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 78(2) (Summer 1987): 357-376

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