Challenge of Firearms Control in a Free Society

• Published date: 01 May 2018
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12359
• Date: 01 May 2018

RESEARCH ARTICLE

PRESIDENT’S CRIME COMMISSION:

PAST AND FUTURE

Challenge of Firearms Control in a Free

Society

Philip J. Cook

Duke University

Abstract

Chapter 10 of The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society, titled “Control of

Firearms,” is a brief but strong statement in support of regulating gun transactions,

possession, and carrying, with several specific recommendations, including the adoption

of universal gun registrationand permit-to-purchase requirements. The U.S. President’s

Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice, when writing the

chapter, had no systematic research to drawon. Since its publication in 1967, the field

of gun violence has become an active area of research, and much has been learned.

But the nation has become far more polarized politically during the last 50 years, and

gun policy has become a rigidly partisan issue. A new commission would have great

difficulty reaching consensus, although there may be common ground on regulating

guns vis-`

a-vis mental illness and domestic violence.

Keywords

Katzenbach Commission, firearms, gun violence, regulation

Chapter 10 of The Challenge of Crime in a Free Society 1967, titled “Control of

Firearms,” is a brief (five pages) but strong statement in support of regulating

gun transactions, possession, and carrying, with several specific recommenda-

tions. The U.S. President’s Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Jus-

tice (commonly known as the President’s Crime Commission or just “the Commission”)

was writing this chapter at the same time that the U.S. Congress was writing the first

Direct correspondence to Philip J. Cook, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, P.O. Box 90545,

Durham, NC 27708 (e-mail: pcook@duke.edu).

DOI:10.1111/1745-9133.12359 C2018 American Society of Criminology 437

Criminology & Public Policy rVolume 17 rIssue 2