American Law Enforcement Survey
August 1989, from Gun Week:
In a study conducted by the National Association of the Chiefs of Police (NACP) through its American Law Enforcement Survey for 1989, in which 16,259 chiefs of police, sheriffs and law-enforcement command personnel were polled with a list of 30 questions, it was determined the overwhelming majority of officers support the right of private arms ownership, and agreed that gun bans had little effect on crime. The Citizens' Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) compiled the following responses:
- Do you believe that law-abiding citizens should have the right to purchase any type of firearm for sport or self-defense under state laws that now exist?
- 68.71% answered YES.
- Do you believe that the banning of firearms (handguns, shotguns, or rifles) will reduce the ability of criminals to obtain such weapons?
- 90.18% answered NO.
- Do you believe that the banning of private ownership of firearms will result in fewer crimes from firearms?
- 87.62% answered NO.
- Would you agree that most criminals obtain their weapons illegally?
- 89.94% answered YES.
- Do you believe that a waiting period to purchase a handgun or any type of firearm will have any effect on criminals getting firearms?
- 70.91% answered NO.
- A "military type" of long gun (Rifle, shotgun, etc.) is now being described as one being able to hold more than five rounds of ammunition. It must be fired by pulling the trigger each time. The legal description would cover many semi-automatic weapons. Do you believe that banning such weapons would reduce the likelihood of criminals obtaining such weapons?
- 86.73% answered NO.
- Some states have longer waiting periods than others. Would you agree that it should be a state mandated law rather than a federal regulation as to firearms purchase requirements?
- 62.64% answered STATE.
- Do you favor the training and issuance of semi-automatic firearms (sidearms) that carry 16-17 rounds over the present police revolver?
- 85% answered YES.
- Historically, the militia is "all men between the ages of 16 and 45". Under the present armed forces defense of the United States, the National Guard must be able to mobilize in three days to back up our regular armed forces worldwide. Therefore, the only defense would be the "state militia" in time of war. Would you agree, that for the sake of the defense of the United States, citizens should be allowed to have their own rifles, shotguns and handguns for emergencies, natural or man made?
- 85.69% answered YES.
- Do you feel that the system of criminal justice has broken down to the point where it is the inability to deal with criminals caught by police (prosecution and imprisonment) that is the major cause of crime in America?
- 86.46% answered YES.
- Do you think the courts are soft on criminals in general?
- 95.60% answered YES.
- Do you believe the media coverage of police-involved shootings encourages the riots or disturbances that have often followed publication or televised?
- 90.12% answered YES.
- Do you think that the media that depicts violence, especially on TV, while at the same time encouraging the banning of firearms ownership for law-abiding citizens for sport or self-defense, is hypocritical?
- 89.95% answered YES.
For copies, interested parties may contact CCRKBA, 12500 N.E. 10th Place, Bellvue, WA 98005. It includes the other questions.