From: robs@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Robert Sipe)
Newsgroups: seattle.general
Subject: Cheifs of Police poll on firearms
Date: 26 Aug 92 20:03:23 GMT
Distribution: seattle
Organization: Boeing

This is a national poll of the Cheifs of Police.  However, I 
thought it might be of interest in light of the gun buy back
program currently underway in Seattle.


----------------------------------------------------------------------
CCRKBA Releases Results of Police Survey
(Adapted from Gun Week, 8/25/89)

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.

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 those of you who wish to send a clear message to Time-Warner for
promoting Ice-T's Cop Killer song, write to: Geral M Levin, CEO 
                                             75 Rockefeller Plaza
                                             New York, NY 10019 
Newsgroups: seattle.general