Chicago Gun Laws and its effect on the Criminal Justice System Research Paper

cabbage Gun Laws and its effect on the Criminal Justice System - Research study ExampleIn fact, perhaps Chicago is a case study in which we see quite an clearly that strict gun visits harm the public rather than protect it, by removing legitimate coming to firearms and leaving the illegal arms trade to those who commit less legitimate purposes for those guns. The legal climate of Chicagos gun control policies is complex and confusing to most who try to follow it, especially with the radical challenges even new laws are facing. A detailed study of these laws, and their respective effects on the deplorable justice system, should provide a useful perspective on whether their existence is warranted given Chicagos crime rates. Chicagos reputation for strict gun control laws started in the 1980s when the city passed, along with Washington D.C., tighter restrictions on who can legally train and use firearms within the city limits. However, disrespect these laws being in place in both Washington D.C. and Chicago, neither city enjoyed a rock-bottom crime rate (Levitt 174). Although Chicago never received a careful analysis at this time, it was know that Chicago lagged behind the nationwide homicide decline during the 1990s. This had led those familiar with the Chicago legal situation to put forward that policies raising the cost of using guns as opposed to targeting proprietorship is the most effective strategy for cut back gun-related crime. Although Chicagos policies against guns were well known even in the 1970s, some authors have remarked that enforcement of those laws is the weak contact lens connecting gun control laws to reduced crime (Bendis and Balkin). Because gun laws vary by state to state and, in some cases, from city to city, the best strategy for understanding the impact of Chicagos gun control laws is to examine those laws in the context of state laws related to guns. In Illinois, firearms are not required to be registered nor are carry pe rmits issued. However, individuals requisite a state permit to purchase a firearm and an owner license is issued to every firearm owner. Part of this process is the Firearm Owners Identification (or FOID) card, which owners acquire from the Illinois state police (Illinois planetary Assembly). An individual must present a valid FOID card whenever he or she attempts to purchase firearms or ammunition. This allows the state to monitor the purchasing of firearms (1) to keep dangerous weapons out of the give of dangerous people and (2) to assist in investigations in gun-related crime. Additionally, the use of FOID cards screens out and prevents individuals who have been convicted of a felony from acquiring firearms from a licensed vendor. The FOID card is difficult to acquire for individuals under 21 years (Illinois General Assembly). As the most populated and crime-ridden city in Illinois, Chicago has in place its own take aim of restrictions on gun ownership. For instance, the muni cipality has an ordinance in place that requires all firearm owners not only to have possession of a FOID card, but also that firearms are registered with the Chicago Police Department, in addition to the Illinois pronounce Police. This policy did not include handguns up until June 2010, when new registrations of pistols were unfrozen by law after 30 years (AP). The effect of not allowing handguns was negative in the view of many city officials, who began to recognize the need for conceal-and-carry