WASHINGTON
- September 4 - As U.S. schoolchildren return to school after a year of unprecedented
school-based violence, their home states have again received grades for their efforts to
protect kids from gun violence and gun accidents, according to Handgun Control, Inc.
(HCI). Chaired by Sarah Brady, HCI is the nation’s leading advocate for responsible
and law-abiding gun use and ownership, and its annual report card rates each of the fifty
states based on five laws essential to protecting children and teenagers from gun
violence.
Each state was carefully rated for the existence of five types of legislation that protect
children from guns, and also for the comprehensiveness and effectiveness of that
legislation. The five types of legislation include:
1) Carrying Concealed Weapons (CCW) law -- whether or not individuals are allowed to carry
loaded concealed guns, and if so, what training is required of them;
2) Juvenile Handgun Possession law -- whether or not it is illegal for an individual under
the age of 18 to own a handgun;
3) Juvenile Handgun Sale/Transfer Prohibition law -- whether or not it is illegal to sell
a handgun to someone under 18;
4) Child Access Prevention law -- whether or not adults are required to store their
firearms responsibly and out of the reach of children, and are penalized for leaving guns
accessible to children;
5) "Local Rights" law, or "Preemption" -- whether the state has made
it illegal for its cities to enact stricter gun control laws than exist in the state in
general. For example, in 1995 the Georgia General Assembly pre-empted the city of
Atlanta’s attempts to more strictly regulate firearms, despite the fact that Atlanta
led the nation in violent crime that year. Preemption has been a favorite legislative tool
of the gun lobby.
Additionally, states were awarded "extra credit" or demerits on other issues,
ranging from an initiation of a firearms injury surveillance program to a new law that
permits the carrying of guns in churches. Twelve states received higher grades in 1998
than in 1997, demonstrating some progress towards protecting children from firearms.
"After a school year dramatized by awful scenes of children shooting their
classmates, we need to redouble our efforts to prevent children’s access to
guns," said Sarah Brady, chair of Handgun Control, Inc. "At the time that our
children are heading back to school, states should be doing everything they can to make
sure that this is not only a productive school year for them -- but a safe one as well.
Ten thousand times a year, children fire a handgun, and almost 900 Americans die as a
result. States need to provide safety precautions that will help protect our kids from
handgun violence."
On the federal level, Handgun Control, Inc., is now focusing on Representative Carolyn
McCarthy’s recently-introduced "Children’s Gun Violence Prevention Act of
1998." The bill, a comprehensive attempt to protect children from gun violence and
accidents, includes a national child access prevention law, but also requires gun
manufacturers to make progress in manufacturing and selling childproof guns.
"I am meeting too many mothers of children who died needlessly from gunfire,"
Mrs. Brady said. "Whether the shooter is a disturbed classmate with a grudge, or a
sibling too young even to understand that the gun that he found killed his brother or
sister, these insane tragedies must stop. Our state legislatures must recognize that the
most important right is our children’s right to safe and secure lives both at home
and in the schoolroom."# # #
Handgun Control, Inc., chaired by Sarah Brady, is the
nation’s largest citizens’ gun control lobbying organization. Based in
Washington, DC, HCI works to enact stronger federal, state and local gun control laws, but
does not seek to ban handguns. Founded in 1974, HCI has more than 400,000 members
nationwide and works with local groups around the country to enact and protect reasonable
gun control laws.
The following is a state-by-state breakdown with the:
state’s grade;
state’s number of firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995;
primary reasons for each state’s grade, based on the five most important criteria. If
a state earned a "B" or better, specific reasons for the positive grade are
included as well.
state contact if available.
Alabama -- D
119 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no juvenile possession law
no child access prevention law
no local rights
CONTACT: Dr. David Reynolds 205-979-2999
Alaska -- D-minus
19 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no juvenile sale/transfer law
DEMERIT: weakened CCW law
Arizona -- D
144 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
DEMERIT: passed CCW reciprocity
EXTRA CREDIT: started injury surveillance program
CONTACT: Geraldine Anderson w: 602-381-1400 ext. 22 h:
602-516-8442/Elliott Glicksman 520-628-8300
Arkansas -- D
85 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
OF NOTE: no 1998 legislative session
CONTACT: Regina Kaut 870-933-2530
California -- B
849 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
strengthened child access prevention law
no child safety lock law
Does have:
juvenile possession law
juvenile sale/transfer law
child access prevention
local rights -- enacted esp. with child safety locks on handguns
EXTRA CREDIT: many cities/counties passed ordinances requiring
child safety locks
CONTACT: Luis Tolley 310-446-0056
Colorado -- C
65 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: stopped preemption and attempts to weaken CCW law
CONTACT: Michael Huttner 303-831-1584
Connecticut -- A-minus
29 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
Has yet to tighten its carried concealed weapons law
Does have:
juvenile possession law
juvenile sale/transfer law
child access prevention
local rights
EXTRA CREDIT: traces all firearms recovered in crime.
CONTACT: Kim Harrison 860-643-8175
Delaware - B-minus
10 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no local rights
CONTACT: Charles Brittingham 302-426-9340
Florida -- C-minus
204 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no local rights
OF NOTE: Governor vetoed CCW reciprocity bill; legislature rejected
child safety lock bill; November 1998 referendum to close loophole on
unregulated sales at gun shows.
CONTACT: Michele Burger 305-673-0037
Georgia -- C-minus
156 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
no child access prevention law
no local rights
CONTACT: Alice Johnson 404-527-7426
Hawaii -- B+
3 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
strengthened juvenile possession law
Does have:
juvenile sale/transfer law
child access prevention
local rights
CONTACT: Eric Pash 808-586-5940
Idaho -- D
29 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Illinois -- B
320 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
No child access prevention law
Does have:
carrying concealed weapons prohibited
juvenile possession law
juvenile sale/transfer law
local rights
EXTRA CREDIT: mandated tracing of any firearm found in illegal
possession of person under 21
CONTACT: Dan Kotowski 312-341-0939
Indiana -- D
118 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
DEMERIT: legislature rejected child access prevention bill
CONTACT: Patty Williams 765-741-1543
Iowa -- B-minus
28 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
weak local rights
Kansas -- B-minus
49 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: legislature did not act on CCW bills
CONTACT: Karen O’Connor 316-682-2872
Kentucky -- F
59 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile sale/transfer law
no child access prevention law
no local rights
DEMERIT: allows guns in churches
Louisiana -- F
174 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Maine -- F
6 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
weak child access prevention law
no local rights
Maryland -- A-
145 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
has child access prevention law
EXTRA CREDIT: Baltimore passed child safety lock ordinance; state
traces all firearms recovered in crime
CONTACT: Nancy Fenton 410-889-1477
Massachusetts -- A-
40 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
passed child access prevention legislation
Does have:
new consumer protection regulations have a number of child protection
measures
juvenile possession law
juvenile sale/transfer law
local rights
EXTRA CREDIT: passed comprehensive bill to reduce gun violence
CONTACT: Jennifer Fraser 617-243-8174
Michigan -- D+
203 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no child access prevention law
no local rights
CONTACT: Carolynne Jarvis 517-339-4119
Minnesota -- C
54 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no local rights
carrying concealed weapons allowed
CONTACT: John Choi 612-330-3025
Mississippi -- D
101 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Missouri -- C
139 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no child access prevention law
no local rights
OF NOTE: child access prevention bill defeated; April 1999 referendum
regarding CCW
CONTACT: Linda Spence 816-855-1721
Montana -- F
20 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
no juvenile sale/transfer law
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: no 1998 legislative session
Nebraska -- B-minus
24 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: CCW bill rejected; child access prevention defeated
CONTACT: Eddie Staton 402-451-3500
Nevada -- D+
45 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no local rights
OF NOTE: no 1998 legislative session
CONTACT: Dr. Beverly Neyland 702-383-3877
New Hampshire -- D+
10 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: child access prevention bill defeated
CONTACT: Chuck Drew 603-337-9119
New Jersey -- B
56 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no local rights
Does have:
juvenile possession law
juvenile sale/transfer law
child access prevention law
EXTRA CREDIT: bill requiring childproof guns is moving
CONTACT: Bryan Miller 609-489-5960
New Mexico -- C+
37 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no juvenile sale/transfer law
no child access prevention law
EXTRA CREDIT: Santa Fe child safety lock resolution
OF NOTE: CCW defeated
CONTACT: Bill Jordan 505-244-9505
New York - C
238 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: child access prevention bill defeated
CONTACT: Barbara Hohlt 718-596-2587
North Carolina -- C-minus
150 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no local rights
OF NOTE: efforts to weaken child access prevention law failed
CONTACT: Lisa Price 919-403-7665
North Dakota -- D
12 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
OF NOTE: no 1998 legislative session
Ohio -- C
133 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no juvenile possession law
no child access prevention law
OF NOTE: legislature defeated CCW, child access prevention and child
safety lock bills; issue of kids and guns factors in race for governor
CONTACT: Toby Hoover 419-874-8978
Oklahoma -- D
75 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Oregon - D
58 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
EXTRA CREDIT: Portland Mayor Katz instituted gun violence
prevention initiative
OF NOTE: no 1998 legislative session
CONTACT: Tuck Wilson 503-239-2111
Pennsylvania -- D
159 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
OF NOTE: expanded Brady background check to juveniles
CONTACT: Dan Siegel 215-567-7955
Rhode Island -- C
6 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
no local rights
South Carolina -- C-minus
66 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
OF NOTE: child safety lock bill defeated
CONTACT: Dr. Walt Ector 843-792-2979
South Dakota -- D
13 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Tennessee -- D+
137 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
weak local rights
DEMERIT: passed instant check without public debate
Texas -- D
463 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
no local rights
OF NOTE: no 1998 legislative session
CONTACT: Dave Smith 813-827-8916/Bruce Elfant 512-473-9100
Utah -- D
54 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
CONTACT: Bill Nash 801-581-8587
Vermont -- D-minus
6 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Virginia -- C+
106 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
weak local rights
EXTRA CREDIT: success of Project Exile in Richmond
CONTACT: Jim Sollo 804-649-8752
Washington -- C-minus
75 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
only partial local rights
DEMERIT: no debate on child access prevention despite promise to do
so in 1997
EXTRA CREDIT: Governor vetoed reciprocity bill
CONTACT: Bruce Gryniewski 206-322-7564
West Virginia -- D
28 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no child access prevention law
no local rights
Wisconsin - C+
76 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
child access prevention law could be stronger
no local rights
CONTACT: Jeri Bonavia 414-964-5158
Wyoming -- F
14 firearms deaths for children and teenagers for 1995
carrying concealed weapons allowed
no juvenile possession law
no juvenile sale/transfer law
no child access prevention law |
