Publication Date: February 2001
What does it say?
Unlike most other states, since 1991, the state of California has denied violent misdemeanants handguns. This study asks the question, “Is the denial of a handgun purchase for someone with a violent misdemeanor record related to their future risk of being arrested for a gun crime or a violent crime?
This study examines persons between the age of 21 and 34 who fit into two groups: 986 persons whose purchase applications were made in 1991 and were denied (denied persons) and 787 persons whose purchase applications were made in 1989-1990 and were approved (purchasers).
After adjusting for differences in age, sex, and prior criminal history, denied purchasers were less likely to be arrested for new gun and/or violent crimes than approved purchasers.
The authors conclude that the denial of handgun purchases to violent misdemeanants is associated with a decrease in risk of arrest of new gun and violent crime.
How can I use it?
Use this study to build the case that background checks make a difference and have the potential to reduce gun and violent crime. Specifically, use this study to advocate that background checks be expanded to cover all violent misdemeanor offenses in the interests of reducing gun and violent crimes.
Citation
Wintemute GJ, Wright MA, Drake CM, and Beaumont, JJ, “Subsequent Criminal Activity Among Violent Misdemeanants Who Seek to Purchase Handguns: Risk Factors and Effectiveness of Denying Handgun Purchase,” JAMA, 285(8)(2001):1019-26
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