Recent research from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Chicago challenges the effectiveness of a proposed assault weapons ban, indicating instead that limiting access to handguns could better reduce overall gun sales. Findings from a survey of 22,500 Americans show that a significant majority of gun purchases (65%) in 2020 were handguns, which are statistically more likely to be involved in criminal incidents. The study reveals that calls for an assault weapons ban may simply lead enthusiasts to buy more handguns, complicating efforts for effective regulation.
With 40% of American households owning firearms, implementing restrictions on handguns poses political and logistical challenges. Notably, handguns account for 91% of murders and more than half of gun-related deaths in the U.S. Researchers argue that traditional responses to mass shootings often overlook the complexity of firearm ownership and consumer behavior. The analysis suggests that a strategic reconsideration of firearm policies, particularly in regard to handgun access, may be necessary to genuinely reduce gun sales and related fatalities.
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