Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-10-26
Chief viii Aid Chamber of
Commerce Committee to -.
Limit Pistol Sale.
pIWNBR0KERS' SHOPS
WILL BE REGULATED
Increase in Homicides Believed
Directly Due to Indiscrimi-
nate Revolver Selling.

The movement to restrict the sale Of
ayssrms in Atlanta, urged by the pub
lie safety committee OF the Chamber
Of Commerce, was received with wide
favor throughout the city today and
reeeived the emphatic Endorsement Of
Chief Of Police Beavers.
The plan as outlined by the commit
tee will be passed upon by city council.
N will give to Chief Beavers the power
70 issue permits to all who wish to
Purchase Yevolvers, and no person
without such premst will be allowed
10 purchase. Ali dealers will be re-
euirsd to report on the sale OF firearms
and show the permits az issued by the
shisf Of polScA
Hardware Men d,
Join Crusade.
Even the hardware dealers, who will
BE- most affected py the limitation ini7
posed upon wouid-pe purahasers. are
enthusiastically in favor Of the plan.
Many believe It will materially lessen
lndascriminate killings in Atlantis.
Chief Beavers declared his belief that
the movs will 60 a long way toward
reducing the number Of hoInicides. At
lanta Is now nth in the list OF proHni-
nent American cities in the number Of
henicides, and officials generally assert
that something must be done to remedy
the situation and reduce Atlsnta's
bloody and unenviable record.
The chief believes the most feasible
plan would be the adoption Of an oroi-
nance requiring all purchasers Of pis-
tolls to present references from a given
number Of good citizens, testifying that
the purchaser is peaceable, law abiding
and sober. He also urges that the ordi-
nance so further and specify as one Of
the conditions that the pistol must not
be removed from the premises OF the
owner.
The chief believes this law would mt
In admirably with the state law, which
already prohibits absolutely the carry
ing OF concealed pistol, and requires
that special license be obtained from
the ordinary before a pistol can even
De carried openly in the hand.
Following the disclosure of results OF
pistol "toting" in Atlanta and the
South as shown in statistics recently
published by The Georgian, which
showed that Atlanta was nth in homi-
eide rate in tho South, the committee OF
public safety Of the Chamber Of Com
mittee is today in open war on the in
discriminate sale OF firearms in the
city. The city council will be asked to
restrict the sale, as The Georgian sug-
sested, and a resolution to this effect
was passed.
Chairman ]. w Lowenstein, Of
The committee. read letters from Ave Of
me leading hardware companies In the
CITY, and of these four were In favor Of
loroidding the purchase of pistol un-
less the purchaser has a permit from
'he chief of police. Letters of Inquiry
were addressed all OF them several days
eso and the letters were in answer TO
me Inquiry. One concern favored al
loving all firearm traffic except pistols
Final action on the resolution to
council was delayed until the next
meeting Of the committee. when Chief
VI Police Beavers will be asked to APP
pear before them and explain the best
method Of restricting the = traffic in
small firearms. The resolution aims
directly at pistols and will not mate
rally affect the sale Of shotguns and
rifles.
D. -.