People and guns involved in denied and completed handgun sales

Author: Wright, M. A. / Wintemute, G. J. / Claire, B. E.
Publication: Injury Prevention
Link to Published Abstract
Topics: Age Group Crime State Supply
Keywords: AMMUNITION PISTOLS UNITED States Violence
Bibliographic information +

Using data on handgun sales and denials in California from 1998 to 2000, the authors found that compared with handguns in completed sales, handguns in denied sales were more like guns used in crime. They were more likely to be semiautomatics pistols (75% of denials v 69% of sales), short-barreled (26% v 22%), medium caliber (49% v 37%), and inexpensive (10% v 3%). Denied would-be purchasers were more likely than actual purchasers to be under age 35 (45% v 34%). Denials were usually due to criminal convictions for misdemeanor (40%) –usually misdemeanor assaults—and felonies (39%). Denial for restraining orders (8%) or mental health conditions (5%) were less frequent.