Gun Control

A Guide to Selected Government Information Available at WIU's Government Publications Library

(Revised -- 6/06)

Web version of this guide includes links to web resources.

Federal Government Information

Reducing Gun Violence: The St. Louis Consent-to-Search Program

This research report describes the implementation of the Consent-to-Search program in St. Louis, Missouri, which involved police knocking on doors in high-crime areas and asking parents of high-risk youth for permission to search their homes for guns. Any guns found were confiscated with no followup prosecution. 2004
J 28.24/3:G 95/3

Under Fire: Does the District of Columbia's Gun Ban Help or Hurt the Fight Against Crime?

In 1976, the District of Columbia passed the Firearms Control Regulations Act, a law banning the possession of unregistered firearms and banning the registration of all handguns, automatic firearms, and high-capacity semi-automatic firearms. This hearing examines the law's constitutionality under the Second Amendment and attempts to assess the law's effectiveness. 2005
Y 4.G 74/7:F 51/11

Protection of Lawful Commerce In Arms Act

This hearing addresses abusive lawsuits aimed at firearms manufacturers or sellers for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of such products. 2005
Y 4.J 89/1:109-21

Project Safe Neighborhoods: America's Network Against Gun Violence

This hearing examines the Bush Administration's initiative to reduce gun violence by coordinating the efforts of prosecutors, federal and state law enforcement, and the community. 2003
J 4.J 89/2:S.HRG.108-159

Project Safe Neighborhoods

Began in 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods is a nationwide effort to reduce gun crime in America. This website answers questions about the law behind this initiative, lists partnering and outreach opportunities, and presents news articles and other useful information.

Firearms and Crime Statistics

This Bureau of Justice Statistics Facts At a Glance page offers summary findings, BJS publications, and other related sites.

Gun Control and Terrorism: FBI Could Better Manage Firearm-Related Background Checks Involving Terrorist Watch List Records

This Government Accountability Office report recommends clearer provisions to ensure that the maximum amount of allowable information gleaned from terrorism-related background checks is shared with counter-terrorism officials. It also recommends more frequent and efficient FBI involvement in terrorism-related background checks.

National Instant Criminal Background Check System

This FBI website provides general information on background checks prior to the sale of a firearm. It includes statutes and legislation, including a link to the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, and other related sites.

Firearms

This Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives website is the place to view firearms statistics and information, including manufacturing and export reports, tax collections, and publications

Illinois Government Information

Firearm Information

The Illinois State Police website offers Illinois residents the ability to apply for a FOID card or file a FOID change of address, as well as look up facts and ordinances.

Firearm Owner's Identification Card Act/Deadly Weapons Article/FAQs

This booklet reprints Illinois gun laws: the FOID Act and Article 24. Deadly Weapons, as well as answers many commonly asked questions about firearm possession in Illinois. 2004
ILLINOIS 344.0533 ILLI 4

Legal Information

The Gun Control Act of 1968

An act to amend Title 18, United States Code, to provide for better control of the interstate traffic in firearms. 1968
82 STAT 1213 PL 90-618

Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act

An Act to provide for a waiting period before the purchase of a handgun, and for the establishment of a national instant criminal background check system to be contacted by firearms dealers before the transfer of any firearm. 1993
107 STAT 1536 PL 103-159

Control of Arms Exports and Imports

Legislation passed to control and license the import and export of weapons contained on the U.S. munitions list.
22 USCA 2778

National Survey of State Laws

This reference book offers a state-by-state comparison in chart format of many controversial topics, including gun control. Firearms information provided for each state includes the state Code section, the waiting period enforced, the law regarding guns and school grounds, and the applicable restrictions. 2003
LEGL REF KF 386.N38 2003 pp. 147-161 currently shelved at Gov.Pubs. desk

"Constitutional Challenge Takes Aim at Gun Industry Immunity"

This article reports that at least 10 lawsuits pending against firearms manufacturers face dismissal under the recently-passed Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act.
Trial. Vol. 42, No.1 January 2006 p10

Unintended Consequences: Why Congress Tossed the Military-Family Out of the Frying Pan and Into the Fire When It Enacted the Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968

This article contends that the Lautenberg Amendment is unfair to members of the U.S. armed forces. Lautenberg stipulates that anyone convicted of domestic violence cannot legally own a firearm. Furthermore, the public-interest exception allows police and military personnel with general felony convictions to possess a weapon, but it prohibits those with a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction from doing so.
Wisconsin Law Review. Vol. 2004, No. 1 pp.157-190

Firearms Law Deskbook

This work concerns laws which regulate the possession, carrying, transfer, sale, and manufacture of firearms. The right to bear arms, the Gun Control Act, the National Firearms Act, entrapment, and assault weapons all are addressed here.
LEGL REF KF 3941.F573 2005

Encyclopedia of Gun Control and Gun Rights

This is a topical treatment of the issue of gun control containing relevant court cases, information on groups and individuals for and against gun control, historical events and groups pertinent to the controversy, and legislation and U.S. Constitutional Amendments.
LEGL REF KF 3941.A68 U88 2000