Maybe my math is wrong, but shouldn’t the number of children killed be LESS in those states that rated A’s and B’s from HCI and those states that are low in their grading system have the higher rate of children killed with handguns? More control, less killings? Isn’t that their selling line?
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For
Immediate Release
08/27/99 <strong>1999 State-by-State Grades</strong> 1999 State Grade
Descriptions
Alabama
Alabama received a grade of D+ because it has no child access prevention
law, no local rights which would enable cities and localities to pass
tougher gun laws, and has no law regulating the possession of a firearm by a
juvenile. Alabama does require a 48 hour waiting period on all handgun
sales. In 1996, 104 children and teenagers in Alabama died as a result of
firearms.
Alaska
Alaska maintained its 1998 grade of D- because it allows the carrying of
concealed weapons, has no child access prevention law, and has no law
regulating the sale or transfer of a firearm to a juvenile. In addition,
Alaska received a demerit for weakening its restrictions on carrying
concealed weapons. In 1996, 22 children and teenagers in Alaska died as a
result of firearms.
Arizona
Arizona maintained its 1998 grade of D because it has no child access
prevention law, no local rights which would enable cities and localities to
pass tougher gun laws, and allows the carrying of concealed weapons. In
1996, 122 children and teenagers in Arizona died as a result of firearms.
Arkansas
Arkansas maintained its 1998 grade of D because it has no law regulating
private sales, no Child Access Prevention law, no local rights which would
enable cities and localities to pass tougher gun laws and allows the
carrying of concealed weapons. Arkansas earned a demerit because the
legislature failed to pass SB 394 which would have required adults to safely
store their firearms despite the fact that a state wide poll found that 82%
of Arkansans supported this type of legislation. In 1996, 63 children and
teenagers in Arkansas died as a result of firearms.
California
California improved its 1998 B grade to a B+ because the legislature passed
several laws that will keep handguns out of the wrong hands. Governor Davis
has already signed a one-handgun-per-month law and a stricter assault
weapons ban. The legislature has also passed bills to ban the sale of
cheaply-made, concealable handguns while also requiring the sale of child
safety locking devices. Next year, the legislature will consider a handgun
licensing bill. In 1996, 675 children and teenagers in California died as a
result of firearms.
Colorado
Colorado’s 1998 grade of C dropped to a C- when its weak private sale
law was factored in. Furthermore, during the 1999 session, the Colorado
legislature defeated a Child Access Prevention bill, while coming
dangerously close to passing a law to allow almost anyone in the state to
carry hidden handguns almost anywhere in the state. The legislature was also
prepared to strip (pre-empt) all local laws and ordinances governing
firearms, and was poised to pass this legislation in anticipation of the
NRA’s Annual Meeting in Denver. Only the Columbine tragedy forced the
legislature to shelve its pro-gun agenda. In 1996, 44 children and teenagers
in Colorado died as a result of firearms.
Connecticut
Connecticut maintained its A- grade. The state has a Child Access Prevention
law, a requirement that child safety locks be sold with all handguns,
juvenile sales and possession laws and very strong handgun licensing laws.
In response to recent shootings in the state, the Connecticut legislature
adapted a groundbreaking law that, beginning October 1, 1999, will give law
enforcement and the courts the authority under limited conditions to remove
guns from the homes of those who are found to pose a significant threat to
the community. In 1996, 36 children and teenagers in Connecticut died as a
result of firearms.
Delaware
Delaware went from a B- to a C+ because the legislature once again failed to
pass a bill, SB 172, to require background checks on the private sales of
handguns. This bill will be on the calendar during the 2000 session of the
legislature. All of Delaware’s contiguous neighbors, Maryland,
Pennsylvania and New Jersey have those laws. The state does have a strong
child access prevention law, sensible juvenile sales and possession laws,
but does not allow cities and counties to enact laws to prevent gun
violence. In 1996, five children and teenagers in Delaware died as a result
of firearms.
Florida
Florida maintained its 1998 grade of C- because it further weakened its
carrying-concealed handgun law this year by allowing people from other
states, even those with laws that are not as strict as Florida’s, to
carry guns into the Sunshine State. Child safety lock legislation also
failed this past session. On the other hand, the people of Florida showed
strong support for keeping guns out of the wrong hands when they voted
overwhelmingly for a constitutional amendment to close the gun show
loophole. The margin of victory was 72% – 28%, demonstrating that ordinary
Floridians are more committed to protecting their families from guns than
is the NRA-dominated state legislature. In 1996, 192 children and teenagers
in Florida died as a result of firearms.
Georgia
Georgia’s grade went down from a C- grade to a D+ because it has done
nothing to keep guns out of the wrong hands. This year the legislature
failed to pass a Child Access Prevention bill, and also became the first
state to “immunize” the gun industry by passing legislation
prohibiting Atlanta’s lawsuit against gun manufacturers. The Georgia
legislature had previously pre-empted Atlanta’s tougher gun laws;
this year they attempted to prevent access to the courts. Fortunately,
Atlanta’s suit was filed before the lawsuit preemption bill became
law. In 1996, 162 children and teenagers in Georgia died as a result of
firearms.
Hawaii
Hawaii improved its 1998 grade of B+ to an A- because of it has one of the
nation’s most restrictive secondary sales laws. It also allows
cities and counties to enact laws to prevent gun violence, and has a Child
Access Prevention law. In 1996, 4 children and teenagers in Hawaii died as
a result of firearms.
Idaho
Idaho’s grade went down from a D in 1998 to a D- in 1999 because it
has no restrictions on the secondary sale of firearms. The state also
allows carrying of hidden handguns, does not allow cities and counties to
enact laws to prevent gun violence and has no child access prevention law.
In 1996, 27 children and teenagers in Idaho died as a result of firearms.
Illinois
Illinois improved its 1998 grade of B to a B+ because the state passed a
Child Access Prevention law this year. Also, Chicago has filed a landmark
lawsuit against the gun industry after extensive research on straw
purchasing and multiple sales of firearms in the state. Unfortunately, the
state legislature failed to pass a bill which would have limited handgun
sales to one per person per month. The state does allow localities to pass
laws relating to firearm regulation and has strong juvenile possession and
sale laws. In 1996, 309 children and teenagers in Illinois died as a result
of firearms.
Indiana
Indiana maintained its 1998 grade of D because it has very weak private
sales laws. Unfortunately, the state wiped out its long-standing seven day
waiting period on handgun sales. The state also has a weak law on carrying
concealed handguns with an age limit of only eighteen years old. It also
does not allow cities and counties to enact gun violence prevention
legislation. The legislature also rejected a Child Access Prevention bill
this session for the fourth year in a row. In 1996, 98 children and
teenagers in Indiana died as a result of firearms.
Iowa
Iowa maintained its 1998 grade of B- because it has a Child Access
Prevention law and reasonable restrictions on juvenile possession. At the
same time, it allows the carrying of concealed weapons and does not allow
cities and counties to enact gun violence prevention legislation. In 1996,
23 children and teenagers in Iowa died as a result of firearms.
Kansas
Kansas’ grade declined from B- to C+ because it does not regulate the
private sale of handguns. At the same time, Kansas prohibits carrying
concealed weapons despite constant efforts by the NRA and its supporters to
change the law. The legislature has also not changed the home rule law for
firearms despite the NRA’s persistence. In 1996, 54 children and
teenagers in Kansas died as a result of firearms.
Kentucky
Kentucky maintained its 1998 grade of F because it allows carrying concealed
weapons, does not allow cities and counties to enact gun violence
prevention legislation, and does not have a Child Access Prevention law.
The Kentucky legislature was not in session in 1999. The highlight of the
1998 session was a law allowing guns in churches. A bill to protect the
gun industry from lawsuits has already been pre-filed for the 2000 session.
In 1996, 52 children and teenagers in Kentucky died as a result of
firearms.
Louisiana
Louisiana maintained its 1998 grade of F because it allows carrying
concealed weapons, has no juvenile possession law, does not allow cities
and counties to enact gun violence prevention legislation, and does not have
a Child Access Prevention law. Furthermore, during the 1999 session, the
legislature passed a law that protects the gun industry from lawsuits. This
was intended to stop New Orleans’ groundbreaking lawsuit against the
industry. The legislature, which constantly does the NRA’s bidding,
does not allow cities to pass their own gun laws, steadfastly refuses to
pass any statewide laws that will keep firearms out of the wrong hands, and
now wants to prevent access to the courts by cities. In 1996, 192 children
and teenagers in Louisiana died as a result of firearms.
Maine
Maine maintained its 1998 grade of F because the legislature failed to pass
Child Access Prevention legislation this year. However, both Governor King
and the legislature supported the NRA’s lawsuit preemption legislation
– despite the fact that no Maine city or county has taken any steps to
file a lawsuit against the gun industry. Maine also allows carrying of
concealed handguns, has no juvenile possession law and does not allow
cities and counties to enact gun violence prevention legislation. In 1996,
5 children and teenagers in Maine died as a result of firearms.
Maryland
Maryland maintained its 1998 grade of A- due to the state’s strong gun
violence prevention laws and administrative directives, including the
statewide tracing on all firearms recovered in crime. Governor Glendenning
has also created a Task Force on Childproof Guns which is charged with
drafting legislation by December 1, 1999. The state limits the carrying of
concealed weapons, has a one-handgun-per-month law, a strong juvenile
possession law, and a child access prevention law. In 1996, 109 children
and teenagers in Maryland died as a result of firearms.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts maintained its 1998 grade of A- because of the significant
legislation which passed in 1998. Among the provisions of the new law, which
serves as a national model, are: a Child Access Prevention law which
requires firearms be safely stored and inaccessible to children; a
requirement for the sale of child safety locking devices with all firearms;
a ban on the sale of junk guns/Saturday Night Specials; increase in the
minimum age for sale of handguns across the board to 21; funding for the
Weapons Related Injury Surveillance System program; and an increase in the
penalty for felons in possession of firearms, illegal gun trafficking,
illegal sale to a minor, and use of a gun in a crime by a felon. In 1996,
32 children and teenagers in Massachusetts died as a result of firearms.
Michigan
Michigan received a C- because it failed to enact stricter laws this year
while coming dangerously close to weakening existing gun laws. The Michigan
House, under intense pressure from the gun lobby, passed a very liberal
concealed handgun bill on May 18 and the Senate passed their version on May
26. Governor Engler had indicated a willingness to sign the legislation
despite strong opposition from the public — 80% according to a poll in the
June 1, 1999 Detroit News. These bills are now apparently stopped from
further consideration. In addition, Michigan does not allow cities and
counties to enact gun violence prevention legislation, and does not have a
Child Access Prevention law. In 1996, 158 children and teenagers in
Michigan died as a result of firearms.
Minnesota
Minnesota received a C+ grade because it has a Child Access Prevention law
and the legislature once again failed to pass the NRA bill to weaken the
state’s carrying concealed handgun law. The gun lobby will surely try
to push this bill again next year despite strong opposition from the
public. The state does not allow cities and counties to enact gun violence
prevention legislation, but does have a child access prevention law and
juvenile sales and possession laws. In 1996, 56 children and teenagers in
Minnesota died as a result of firearms.
Mississppi
Mississippi received a grade of D- because it does not regulate the private
sale of firearms; allows carrying of concealed weapons, does not allow
cities and counties to enact gun violence prevention legislation and does
not have a Child Access Prevention law. In 1996, 78 children and teenagers
in Mississippi died as a result of firearms.
Missouri
Missouri’s grade improved to a C+ in 1999, when its ordinary citizens
proved to be far ahead of its legislature in protecting their families from
guns. In the first-ever state-wide referendum on the carrying of concealed
handguns, the NRA suffered a major defeat on Proposition B, which they had
placed on the April 6th ballot. For years, the NRA had been stymied in
their effort to pass this legislation by a veto threat from Governor Mel
Carnahan. The NRA chose to put the issue directly to the voters, backed it
up with over $4 million — outspending their opponents by a 5 to 1 margin —
and lost 52% – 48%. A strong bi-partisan coalition of law enforcement,
business leaders, religious, health care professionals and community
activists organized a campaign to defeat the hidden handgun measure. The
election was decided by turnout in suburban St. Louis County, a Republican
stronghold, where the margin was 70% to 30% against the NRA’s
proposal. Unfortunately, Missouri does not allow cities and counties to
enact gun violence prevention legislation, and does not have a Child Access
Prevention law (efforts to pass a law were defeated again this session.)
However, the state has reasonable juvenile possession and sales laws. In
1996, 102 children and teenagers in Missouri died as a result of firearms.
Montana
Montana maintained its 1998 grade of F because it does not regulate the
private sale of firearms, allows the carrying of concealed weapons, does
not have a Child Access Prevention law and has weak juvenile sales and
transfer laws. What’s more, Montana passed a bill granting immunity
to the gun industry from city lawsuits — despite the fact that no Montana
city has indicated interest in reforming the gun industry through
litigation. In 1996, 20 children and teenagers in Montana died as a result
of firearms.
Nebraska
Nebraska maintained its 1998 grade of B- because it does not allow the
carrying of concealed weapons, allows cities and counties to enact
ordinances to prevent gun violence, but does not have a Child Access
Prevention law. Furthermore, the legislature defeated efforts to pass a
dangerous carrying concealed weapons bill. In 1996, 28 children and
teenagers in Nebraska died as a result of firearms.
Nevada
Nevada maintained its 1998 grade of D+ because it allows the carrying of
concealed weapons, does not allow cities and counties to enact ordinances
to prevent gun violence and has no secondary sales law. However, the state
does have a Child Access Prevention law. In 1996, 36 children and teenagers
in Nevada died as a result of firearms.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s grade declined to a D because it allows the carrying
of concealed weapons, does not have a Child Access Prevention law and does
not regulate secondary sales. The legislature has repeatedly killed
attempts to pass a Child Access Prevention law. In 1996, 7 children and
teenagers in New Hampshire died as a result of firearms.
New Jersey
New Jersey maintained its 1998 grade of B based on extra credit earned for
the success of Project LISA, a statewide crime gun tracing system, as well
as for its efforts to pass a law requiring the sale of childproof firearms.
The state has a restrictive carrying concealed weapons system, a juvenile
possession law, a juvenile sale/transfer law, a permit/license system
regulating secondary sales and a Child Access Prevention law, but does not
allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence. In
1996, 67 children and teenagers in New Jersey died as a result of firearms.
New Mexico
New Mexico received a D+ because it has no juvenile sale/transfer law, no
secondary sales law and no Child Access Prevention law. It does however,
prohibit the carrying of concealed weapons. The state does not allow
cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence. In 1996,
44 children and teenagers in New Mexico died as a result of firearms.
New York
New York raised its grade to a B- because regulates the secondary sale of
firearms and allows cities and counties to enact local gun violence
prevention legislation. The state’s grade could have improved
further, but the legislature defeated efforts to pass a Child Access
Prevention bill this session. In 1996, 200 children and teenagers in New
York died as a result of firearms.
North Carolina
North Carolina received a grade of C because it regulates the private sales
of handgun. Unfortunately, the state legislature failed to pass legislation
that would close the gun show loophole (HB 1275) and a bill to strengthen
the state’s Child Access Prevention law (HB 1231). North Carolina does
allow the carrying of concealed weapons and does not allow cities and
counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence. At the same time, the
state has a Child Access Prevention law and reasonable restrictions on
juvenile possession and juvenile sales. In 1996, 135 children and teenagers
in North Carolina died as a result of firearms.
North Dakota
North Dakota maintained its 1998 grade of D because it allows carrying of
concealed weapons, does not have a Child Access Prevention law and does not
allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence.
However, the state does have reasonable restrictions on juvenile possession
and juvenile sales. In 1996, 9 children and teenagers in North Dakota died
as a result of firearms.
Ohio
Ohio maintained its 1998 grade of C because it does not regulate the private
sales of handguns nor does it have a Child Access Prevention law. The state
does allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence
and the carrying of concealed weapons is prohibited. Fortunately, in 1999
Governor Taft stated he would veto the NRA’s legislation that would
liberalize the carrying of concealed handguns. During the 1998 campaign,
Governor Taft announced his support for Child Access Prevention and child
safety lock legislation. The Ohio legislature has failed to pass either of
these proposals to protect Ohio’s children from gun violence. In
1996, 126 children and teenagers in Ohio died as a result of firearms.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s grade declined to a D- because it does not regulate
secondary sales or have a Child Access Prevention law, does not allow
cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence and does
allow the carrying of concealed weapons. There are reasonable restrictions
on juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 61 children and teenagers in
Oklahoma died as a result of firearms.
Oregon
Oregon received a grade of D+ because it does not have a child access
prevention law, does not allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to
prevent gun violence, does not regulate secondary sales and does allow the
carrying of concealed weapons. Despite enormous public support for the
measure, the legislature failed to close the gun show loophole. There are
reasonable restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. It must be noted
there was no regular legislative session this year. In 1996, 39 children
and teenagers in Oregon died as a result of firearms.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania received a grade of D+ because it does not have a Child Access
Prevention law, does not allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to
prevent gun violence and allows the carrying of concealed weapons. The
legislature failed to act on a one-handgun-per-month proposal, even though a
statewide poll showed 71% support for it. There are reasonable
restrictions on juvenile sales and possession, and all secondary sales must
be completed by a licensed firearms dealer or sheriff. In 1996, 182
children and teenagers in Pennsylvania died as a result of firearms.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island’s grade improved to a B- because it strictly regulates
secondary sales. However, the state does not allow cities and counties to
enact ordinances to prevent gun violence and does allow limited carrying of
concealed weapons. There are reasonable restrictions on juvenile sales and
possession and the state does have a Child Access Prevention law. The
legislature passed a bill which increases the age from 15 to 18 years of age
for possession of ammunition and firearms by minors. In 1996, 6 children
and teenagers in Rhode Island died as a result of firearms.
South Carolina
South Carolina’s grade rose slightly to a C because it does have some
record-keeping requirements for secondary sales. The state does not have a
child access prevention law, does not allow cities and counties to enact
ordinances to prevent gun violence and does allow the carrying of concealed
weapons. The state does have a one-handgun-per-month law and reasonable
restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 78 children and
teenagers in South Carolina died as a result of firearms.
South Dakota
South Dakota maintained its 1998 grade of D because it does not have a Child
Access Prevention law, does not allow cities and counties to enact
ordinances to prevent gun violence, has no secondary sales restrictions and
does allow the carrying of concealed weapons. The state does have
reasonable restrictions on juvenile sales and possession, but voted to
pre-empt litigation against gun manufacturers. In 1996, 10 children and
teenagers in South Dakota died as a result of firearms.
Tennessee
Tennessee maintained its 1998 grade of D+ because it does not have a Child
Access Prevention law, does not allow cities and counties to enact
ordinances to prevent gun violence, does not regulate secondary sales and
does allow the carrying of concealed weapons. The state does have
reasonable restrictions on juvenile sales and possession, but passed a law
in 1999 to give gun makers immunity from civil lawsuits.In 1996, 123
children and teenagers in Tennessee died as a result of firearms.
Texas
Texas received a lower grade in 1999, falling from a D to a D- because it
does not have a juvenile possession law, does not regulate secondary sales,
does not allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun
violence and does allow the carrying of concealed weapons. Governor George
W. Bush failed to push the legislature to close the gun show loophole,
while promoting and signing a bill that gives immunity from civil
prosecution to the gun industry. The state does have reasonable
restrictions on juvenile sales and a child access prevention law. In 1996,
361 children and teenagers in Texas died as a result of firearms.
Utah
Utah maintained its 1998 grade of D because it does not have a Child Access
Prevention law, does not regulate secondary sales, does not allow cities
and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence and does allow the
carrying of concealed weapons, even into churches and schools. The
legislature failed to pass responsible gun legislation in both the regular
and a special session. The state does have reasonable restrictions on
juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 39 children and teenagers in Utah
died as a result of firearms.
Vermont
Vermont maintained its 1998 grade of D- because it does not have a child
access prevention law, does not regulate secondary sales, does not allow
cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence, and does
allow the carrying of concealed weapons without even a permit. The state
does have some restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 5
children and teenagers in Vermont died as a result of firearms.
Virginia
Virginia received a lower grade than 1998, falling from a C+ to a C, due to
the lax secondary sales provisions in its law. Virginia also failed to
pass a child safety lock law this year. The state also does not allow
cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence and does
allow the carrying of concealed weapons. However, the state does have a
Child Access Prevention law, a one-handgun-per-month law, as well as some
restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 110 children and
teenagers in Virginia died as a result of firearms.
Washington
Washington maintained its 1998 grade of C- because it does not have a Child
Access Prevention law, does not regulate secondary sales, does not allow
cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence and does
allow the carrying of concealed weapons. The state does have reasonable
restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. A demerit was given to the
legislature which failed again to pass a Child Access Prevention law. In
1996, 68 children and teenagers in Washington died as a result of firearms.
West Virginia
West Virginia maintained its 1998 grade of D because it does not have a
Child Access Prevention law, does not regulate secondary sales, does not
allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun violence and
does allow the carrying of concealed weapons. The state does have
reasonable restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 16
children and teenagers in West Virginia died as a result of firearms.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin maintained its 1998 grade of C+ because it does have a Child
Access Prevention law, does not allow the carrying of concealed weapons,
but it does not allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun
violence or regulate secondary sales. The state also has reasonable
restrictions on juvenile sales and possession. In 1996, 76 children and
teenagers in Wisconsin died as a result of firearms.
Wyoming
Wyoming maintained its 1998 grade of F because it does not have a Child
Access Prevention law, does allow the carrying of concealed weapons and
does not allow cities and counties to enact ordinances to prevent gun
violence. The state also has no restrictions on juvenile sales and
possession, does not regulate secondary sales and prohibits litigation
against gun manufacturers. In 1996, 11 children and teenagers in Wyoming
died as a result of firearms.
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