Activities Violence Policy Center

1 activities

1.1 annual reports on impact of gun violence
1.2 concealed carry
1.3 gun industry donations
1.4 50-caliber rifles
1.5 firearms imports
1.6 eddie eagle study

activities
annual reports on impact of gun violence

using data federal agencies such federal bureau of investigation , centers disease control , prevention, vpc publishes annual state-by-state reports on effects of gun violence. has examined effects of gun violence on specific populations:

females murdered males in single victim/single offender incidents, published coincide domestic violence awareness month in october;
black homicide victimization;
hispanic homicide victimization.

the methodology of taking number of black homicide victims , adjusting black population of state, vpc does, can misleading when same numbers adjusted total population of state. according vpc s 2006 study black murder rate in north dakota (31.06 per 100,000) higher black murder rate in louisiana (28.16 per 100,000) if black murder victims adjusted total populations, rate in louisiana (8.79 per 100,000) wouldv e been 28 times higher rate in north dakota (0.31 per 100,000) same year.

concealed carry

the vpc maintains concealed carry killers database of fatal non-self defense killings involving private citizens legally allowed carry concealed handguns in public. vpc highlights mass shootings involving persons legally allowed carry concealed handguns in public.

the database criticized clayton cramer, claimed statistics inaccurate. john lott s crime prevention research center website posted article questioning numbers presented on concealed carry killers database. according article, suicides, may or may not have involved firearm, , motor vehicle homicides caused intoxication, included in statistics.

gun industry donations

the vpc has issued reports document gun industry s financial contributions nra. in 2013, vpc said firearms industry has donated between $19.3 million , $60.2 million nra since 2005.

50-caliber rifles

the vpc has long advocated ban on 50-caliber rifles. in 2001, vpc issued study detailed 50 caliber s threat ideal tool assassination , terrorism, including ability attack , cripple key elements of nation s critical infrastructure—including aircraft , other transportation, electrical power grids, pipeline networks, chemical plants, , other hazardous industrial facilities .

in january 2005, vpc featured on cbs news , current affairs program 60 minutes, ran segment on 50-caliber rifles , alleged threat public safety. drew vpc reports on .50 bmg cartridge. interviews featured both ronnie barrett of barrett firearms , tom diaz of vpc.

the nra objected, alleging story biased in vpc s favor; claimed no 50-caliber rifle has ever been used in commission of crime. in response, vpc issued backgrounder detailing criminal use , possession of 50-caliber rifles, including examples of murders criminals using weapon. list not clarify whether weapons seized possessed legally or not, , makes no distinction between use of .50 caliber rifle in crime , possession of .50 caliber rifle person committing unrelated crime.

in september 2004, california passed law ban 50 caliber rifles, states so.

firearms imports

cbs reported numerous firearms sold in united states illegally trafficked mexico , legally imported united states, sold straw purchasers , other illegal traffickers. in testimony congress , in reports, vpc has stated u.s. government not enforcing sporting purposes test, bans import of firearms lack sporting purpose.

in 1989, atf officials in administration of president george h. w. bush used powers prohibit import of firearms not recognized particularly suitable or readily adaptable sporting purposes. despite prohibition, gun manufacturers skirted ban making cosmetic changes weapons comply law. clinton administration reviewed case, , result banned weapons import.

the vpc argues today import ban has part been abandoned, , foreign-made assault rifles—whole , in parts—are being freely imported united states. in response, vpc has asked atf enforce ban on import of foreign-made assault rifles.

eddie eagle study

in november, 1997 violence policy center published study of national rifle association s eddie eagle program, entitled joe camel feathers. key findings included:

the primary goal of national rifle association s eddie eagle program not safeguard children, protect interests of nra , firearms industry making guns more acceptable children , youth. eddie eagle program employs strategies similar utilized america s tobacco industry—from youth educational programs in fact marketing tools use of appealing cartoon characters aim put friendly face on hazardous product.

other key findings included nra uses eddie eagle lobbying tool in opposition child access prevention laws , mandatory trigger lock laws; rather recognizing inherent danger firearms in home pose children, , irresponsible firearms storage behavior of adults, eddie eagle program places onus of safety , responsibility on children ; , public health researchers have found gun safety programs eddie eagle ineffective in preventing unintentional death , injury firearms.

the study s key findings summarized in major newspapers including new york times, washington post, , chicago tribune regional newspapers including philadelphia inquirer, newsday, times-picayune, , others, , in book guns in american society: encyclopedia of history, politics, culture, , law edited gregg lee carter, professor of history @ bryant university in article on eddie eagle robert j. spitzer. nra called study ludicrous , threaten sue violence policy center.