The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #33330

Eric K Gorovitz, JD, MPH, Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, P.O. Box 7629, Berkeley, CA 94707-0629, 510-526-0476, egorovitz@csgv.org

For years, polls have shown strong, stable public support for the idea of licensing handgun owners or buyers. The public intuitively understands both the concept of licensing and why it is appropriate for people who want access to handguns. But responsible handgun licensing systems have eluded policy makers and advocates in Congress and in most state legislatures. Part of the problem is that the widely-shared intuition about handgun licensing in general glosses over the many politically-charged details that must be worked out. These details vary in significance, but proponents do not always foresee their relevance, and are not always well-prepared to prioritize them. This presentation discusses the meaning of “licensing” in the context of handgun policy and describes key components of a responsible licensing system. Rather than prescribe a specific system, however, this presentation identifies the issues that policy makers and advocates will confront when designing a system for their communities.

Learning Objectives: Following the session, participants will be able to

• Understand the components of a handgun licensing system
• Recognize the need for thorough understanding of goals and objectives of handgun licensing prior to policy development
• Assist advocates and policy makers in developing a sound strategy for promoting effective handgun licensing systems

Keywords: Firearms, Politics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.