Firearm violence and the effects of gun control legislation

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Abstract
Two gun control laws designed to reduce different types of violent crimes were evaluated. In 1981, East St. Louis, IL, imposed stricter penalties for individuals who carry firearms outside their homes for protection (individuals could keep firearms in their homes). This law had only a temporary impact in reducing firearm use in assaults and robberies. In Evanston, IL, a slightly different approach was taken with legislation that banned handguns in the entire city (i.e., individuals could not keep handguns within their homes). A temporary reduction in firearm assaults occurred a few months before the gun law took effect. The implications of these findings are discussed. There is considerable evidence to indicate that firearms contribute to the staggering rates of crime in this country. Of the over 13 million crimes committed throughout the nation during 1980, firearms were used in 43% of the robberies and 24% of the aggravated assaults (Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1981). In Illinois during 1983 (excluding Chicago data), 86% of 5,777 firearm crimes involved the use of a handgun (Miller, 1985). There is a need to examine strategies that might reduce alarmingly high rates of crimes caused by firearms. Social psychologists have found that the mere presence of firearms can increase aggression when people are aroused or even when they are in

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