Transactions of the Western Section of the Wildlife Society

1969, Volume 5


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Year1969
Volume5
TitleGun Legislation - A Threat to the Pittman-Robertson Act
Author(s)Leslie E. Lahr
ArticleLink to PDF

Abstract:
The Wildlife Restoration Act has allotted nearly $325 million since 1937 to the participating states. Much of the habitat improvement and increases in diminishing game species can be attributed to the use of these funds. Terror tactics, emotionalism and deliberate fabrications have been used to confuse, mislead and stampede the enactment of severe firearms restrictions; no factual material has been submitted which would objectively portray either the motive behind the proposed legislation or the actual effects of existing similar laws. The regulations promulgated under the Gun Control Act of 1968 exceed the provisions of the act and are in opposition to the purposes of the act as set forth in Section 101. The enactment of a Federal gun registration law, administered in the manner of existing gun control laws would markedly decrease the funds available for wildlife restoration and have a depressing effect on the general economy of the country. Existing firearms registration laws have failed to disarm the criminal but have imposed a burden on the law abiding citizen, without reducing the crime rate. The cost of national firearms registration would amount to some $4 or $5 billion initially, and would be a recurring cost. The total cost of all law enforcement is between $4 and $5 billion per year. There is no difference in the homicide rate between states having severe and moderate firearms control laws.


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