Press Releases

For Release: Monday, December 6, 1999 Oklahoma Firearm Laws1 It is unlawful for any child (any person under the age of 18) to possess firearms except for rifles and shotguns for “participation in hunting animals or fowl, hunter safety classes, target shooting, skeet, trap or other recognized sporting event.” The State of Oklahoma preempts municipalities and local entities from implementing gun laws that are stronger than state law. It is unlawful for any person other…

For Release: Wednesday, December 1, 1999 Unique Resource of Gun Industry Production Data The Violence Policy Center (VPC) today released the 1999 edition of Firearms Production in America, a unique compendium detailing gun production in the United States from 1975 to 1997 (the most recent year available). The bi-annual 182-page publication lists every domestic manufacturer that produced more than 1,000 firearms in any given year by federal licensee name or most commonly known trade or product name.…

For Release: Thursday, November 18, 1999 Republicans Stymie Democrats’ Efforts to Offer Amendment to Prevent Gun Manufacturers from “Taking Advantage of the System” Senate Republicans chose today to kill major federal legislation related to bankruptcy protection laws rather than allow Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) the chance to offer an amendment to ensure that gun manufacturers cannot discharge debts incurred as a result of lawsuits filed by consumers or municipalities. “The Republican-controlled Senate is simply afraid…

For Release:  Wednesday, November 3, 1999 This fact sheet provides background information for journalists covering today’s shooting at a Seattle, Washington shipyard. Washington Firearm Laws1 A “shall-issue” concealed handgun licensing system is in place under which applicants at least 21 years old with no criminal or mental disqualifiers must be issued a license to carry a concealed handgun “for the purpose of protection or while engaged in business, sport, or while traveling.” The license remains…

For Release:  Tuesday, October 5, 1999 Most Women Are Killed by Someone They Know – Debunks “Dangerous Stranger” Myth Promoted by Gun Lobby Includes State-by-State Ranking of Female Homicide Rates  Women are far more likely to be murdered by someone they know, most commonly with a handgun, according to the new Violence Policy Center report When Men Murder Women. The annual report analyzes 1997 FBI Supplementary Homicide Report data, the most recent available, and debunks many…

For Release:  Thursday, September 16, 1999 This fact sheet provides background information for journalists covering yesterday’s shooting at the Wedgwood Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas Firearm Laws1 No licensing or registration requirements for purchase or possession of any firearm. “Instant” background check with no mandatory waiting period for purchase of handguns, shotguns, or rifles. Liberal “shall-issue” concealed handgun licensing system under which the Texas Department of Public Safety must issue a concealed carry…

For Release: Friday, August 13, 1999 Results of Glock Strategy to Reach Civilian Market The Glock pistol that self-proclaimed racist Buford Furrow used to kill a Los Angeles postal worker illustrates the deadly consequences of the Austrian gun company’s hyper-aggressive marketing to U.S. police, according to the Violence Policy Center. The Model 26, 9mm semiautomatic “pocket rocket” was sold first to the Cosmopolis, Wash., police department, which resold it to a civilian dealer. “Glock is notorious…

 For Release:  Tuesday, August 10, 1999 California Firearm Laws1 Purchasers of concealable weapons must fill out and submit a California Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) form and undergo safety training. Secondary sales between private individuals – including those at gun shows – must go through a licensed firearms dealer. Ten-day waiting period required for purchase of any firearm to allow time for a background check. Handgun possession by minors is prohibited with numerous exceptions, e.g.…

For Release: Friday, July 30, 1999 This fact sheet provides background information for journalists covering yesterday’s shooting at an Atlanta, Georgia office complex. Georgia Firearm Laws1 No licensing or registration requirements related to purchase or possession of any firearms. “Instant” background check with no mandatory waiting period for purchase of handguns, shotguns, or rifles. “May-issue” concealed handgun licensing system under which county judges may issue concealed carry permits to individuals over the age of 21 with…

For Release: Friday, July 23, 1999 IOC Offers Strong Response to Report from Alpers and VPC The International Olympic Committee released a statement today offering its first official opposition to combat shooting, in response to a report issued Thursday by international firearms researcher Philip Alpers and the Violence Policy Center. The IOC statement appears to destroy the chances of Olympic status for combat shooting. In addition, it probably scuttles plans for a demonstration event, under the…

For Release:  Thursday, July 22, 1999 Activists Worldwide Call on Olympic Officials to Reject Effort Competition Rooted in Violent Fantasy Would Pollute Olympics, Legitimize Powerful Non-Sporting Weapons A campaign to establish combat shooting as an exhibition sport at the 2004 Olympic Games under the euphemistic name of “practical shooting” came under fire today from gun control activists around the world. The Violence Policy Center joined international firearms researcher Philip Alpers in Washington, DC to release…

For Release:  Wednesday, June 30, 1999 Massachusetts Ruling Upholds Nation’s First Consumer Regulation of Guns  The Violence Policy Center applauded today’s landmark ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, which hands a major defeat to the gun industry and paves the way for the nation’s first consumer regulation of firearms. The unanimous decision by the state’s highest court upholds Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly’s authority to enforce firearm design and safety regulations. The new rules crack…

For Release:  Friday, June 18, 1999 Real Gun Control a Victim of Cautious Strategy, NRA Muscle  The Violence Policy Center warned today that a gun control bill under consideration in the House would do more to weaken current gun law than strengthen it, especially after last night’s passage of an amendment by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI). Rather than advancing gun control, the bill undermines the ban on interstate firearm sales – a cornerstone of gun…

For Release:  Wednesday, June 16, 1999 VPC Fact Sheets Expose “Step Backward for Gun Control” The Violence Policy Center today warned that unless amendments pass to remove loopholes the overall impact of the House leadership’s gun bill would be to weaken current gun laws. The rollback would be even more serious if the bill includes an amendment sponsored by Rep. John Dingell (D-MI) and supported by the National Rifle Association.< “At first, we were worried…

For Release:   Wednesday, June 9, 1999 NRA-Blessed Bill is Spin Control, Not Gun Control The Violence Policy Center today denounced the gun control provisions in the House leadership’s new proposed juvenile justice bill as a tangle of loopholes designed by the National Rifle Association. “This isn’t gun control, it’s spin control. The House leadership wants to appear concerned about guns but do nothing,” said VPC Director of Federal Policy Kristen Rand. “The House bill…

For Release: Tuesday, June 8, 1999 House Amendment Would Fix Problem, Add Quality Standards  The Violence Policy Center demonstrated at a press conference today how the lack of quality standards undermines a Senate-passed bill mandating safety devices for handguns. The VPC joined with Reps. Julia Carson (D-IN) and Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) to support an amendment adding standards to the legislation. “Without standards, dealers can follow the law by offering flimsy junk,” said VPC Director of Federal…

For Release:  Thursday, May 20, 1999 The following fact sheet provides background information related to today’s shooting at Heritage High School in Conyers, Georgia. Georgia Firearm Laws1 No licensing or registration requirements related to purchase or possession of any firearms. No waiting period for purchase of handguns, shotguns, or rifles. There are no age restrictions related to possession of rifles or shotguns. Handgun possession by persons less than 18 years of age is a misdemeanor…

For Release: Thursday, May 20, 1999 1996 VPC Report Exposed Gun Show Loopholes The Violence Policy Center congratulated the U.S. Senate for today’s vote to close numerous loopholes and pass a strong requirement for mandatory background checks at gun shows. The VPC first uncovered the giant problem of gun show sales in its 1996 report Gun Shows in America: Tupperware Parties for Criminals. This report exposed the dangers of gun shows, where many sales are legally completed…

For Release:  Monday, May 3, 1999 Powerful Weapons Can Shoot Down Airplanes, Penetrate Armor From Over a Mile Away New VPC Report Exposes Aggressive Marketing Efforts, Burgeoning Subculture of Sniper Enthusiasts The gun industry’s sale of military sniper rifles to civilian customers poses a serious threat to national security—making the ideal weapon for assassination and destruction available to terrorists, criminals, or mentally unstable people in the United States, according to a new report by the…

For Release: Friday, April 23, 1999 Two of the guns reportedly used in Tuesday’s Colorado school massacre are designed specifically for use against human targets, the Violence Policy Center said today. According to this morning’s Denver Post, police have identified a modified Intratec TEC-9 assault weapon and a Hi-Point 9mm semiautomatic rifle among the weapons wielded by the assailants at Columbine High School. (Follow these links for pictures of the weapons and profiles of the manufacturers) “These guns are designed to…