LWVMA 

Where We Stand 

Content:

Introduction

Program in Brief

Government

Natural Resources

Social Policy

LWVMA 

WHERE WE STAND

Social Policy: Handgun Control

Goal:
Elimination of the private possession of handguns (1974) and assault weapons (1989).

The League supports:

• limitation of the sale and possession of handguns and assault weapons to law enforcement and military personnel
• a possible exception for sportsmen if the guns are used and stored away from the home under controlled conditions

Until such a time as a ban on the private possession of handguns and assault weapons becomes law the League supports:

• improved and standardized licensing procedures
• training in the use of handguns and assault weapons and the responsibilities of ownership
• education of the public to the dangers of the handgun in the home
• strict enforcement of the present laws concerning handgun ownership
• measures to encourage the removal of all handguns and assault weapons from the home and street

League action
In 1975 LWVMA co-filed a bill to ban handguns to all but police, military and certain other people. It did not pass. In 1975 the League joined other groups in collecting more than 102,000 certified signatures on an initiative petition to ban the private possession of handguns. After the bill failed to pass the legislature in 1976, the League helped collect the additional signatures needed to place the question on the ballot. The referendum was defeated by a two-to-one margin. The League's efforts to ban the "Saturday night special" handgun have also failed.

LWVMA has worked for stricter licensing and registration procedures and has met with no success. During late 1976 and early 1977, LWVMA participated in mediation sessions involving groups on both sides of the limitation issue. Agreement was reached on institution of administrative steps to be taken by police chiefs to improve licensing procedures, making them more uniform and strict. LWVMA supported a bill to require handgun owners to pass safety courses before being granted gun permits, but general support for these kinds of measures is weak.

Background

• 1974: Delegates to state council adopted a short study on statewide control of the sale and possession of handguns. In the fall of that year, members, concerned about violence committed through the use of handguns, reached consensus in support of limiting private possession of handguns. Members agreed that the most effective way to control misuse of handguns is to limit their number.
• 1989: Delegates to state convention, responding to concern over violence committed with assault weapons, adopted, through concurrence, the addition of the words "and assault weapons" to the handgun control position.
• 1990: Delegates to national convention adopted, through concurrence, a national position on handgun control.