Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-27
HESsE TO PUSH ACTION FOR LAW
TO CURB INCREASED PISTOL SALES
Urges Heavy Penalties for
Both Dealers and Those
Found With Guns.
Bill Again to Be Pressed
in Congress for Effec-
tive Measure.

Convinced that one of the most
urgent needs of his department is Il
law TO control the sale and losses
sion of firearms, Maj. Edwin X.
Hesse. superintendent OF police, in
tends to center his efforts On OBJ
tanning such legislation frofn the
next session of Congress.
Before Congress reconvenes,
said the police head today. Il Will
recommend to the Commissioners that
they make strong appeal to the
District committees OF the House and
Senate for an effective dangerous
weapon law.
The plea from District authorities
for law with teeth in it is not
new one. but none of the measures
presented to Congress in recent
years has gone through the various
steps to enactment.
The annual report of the Police
Department for the II months ended
July ] and just now available con-
tains several facts that demonstrate
to Maj. Heese that enactment OF this
iegisations should not longer be de-
layed.
i3 Murders Here i'm Year.
For example, the report shows AZ
murders here in the last fiscal year,
as compared TO 81 in 1925 and 20 in
1924. An innovation in the report
this year Is n tahulation showing the
means used in the murder cases, and
it reveals that of the A. homicides. 81
involved reviewers or knives. Here
are some Of the means used:
Revolvers, Il: knives, IS; blunt In
strument. /: brick, 1; iron pipe, l;
shovel, !; shotgun, 1; strangled, /;
stick, l; lamp. l,
Another highlight in the report is
the statement that the police MADE
42l arrests for the carrying OF con-
cealed weapons during the past year,
an increase of so over the BAL arrests
in 1925 and a still greater Increase
over the 325 for 1924.
The weapons involved in these ar
rests follow: Reviewers. 2SS; knives,
SO: razors, 81; blackjacks, 10;
knuckles, I.
All of these instruments would he
subject TO rigid control under the bill
the Commissioners advocated at the
session of Congress just ended, and
which Mai. Hesse will make every eff
fort TO have the Senate and House
approve at the forthcoming session.
Weapon to Increase Penalty.
One of the first provisions in the
proposed measure is that If any per-
son commits or attempts to commit a
crime while armed there would be
a penalty of not more than years
Imprisonment in addition TO the pen
atty for the other offense.
Another section provides that in the
trial of a person for committing a
felony or attempted felony the fact
of being armed would be prima facie
evidence of intent to commit the
felony
The new provision recommended to
deal with the carrying of weapons
provides that no person shall have
weapon concealed either on his per-
son or in a vehicle without a permit.
Exception is made for weapons kept
in the home or place CT business.
The penalty recommended for carry
ing a. concealed weapon would not
exceed a years Imprisonment and
confiscation of the weapon.
The bin would empower the Police
Court judges to issue permits TO
carry n weapon. good for one year
only to persons having bona fide
residence or place of business in the
District. or having a permit from
some other jurisdiction, provided
they show they have reason to fear
personal injury or can show some
other sound reason.
Applications for permits would be
submitted to the Police Department
and the permit would be issued only
if the superintendent gave written