http://www.cnn.com/2001/LAW/08/30/gun.study/index.html

Guns sold in states with laws requiring both the licensing and registration of handguns are less likely to be used in crimes committed in that state, according to a Johns Hopkins University study released Thursday.

The study, conducted by the university's Center for Gun Policy Research, analyzed data collected by the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms on guns recovered from crimes committed in 25 U.S. cities over a two-year period. The study was funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

It divided the cities into three categories: cities in states with both licensing and registration laws, cities with either licensing or registration laws and cities that did not have licensing or registration laws.

The study found that in cities with both laws, 33.7 percent of guns recovered from crimes were originally purchased from in-state dealers, compared to 84.2 percent in cities with neither law.

In cities in states with either licensing or registration laws, 72.7 percent were purchased in-state.

Study co-author Jon Vernick said the study shows the combination of licensing and registration laws make it harder for criminals to get firearms.

"One thing we think is striking about the study is that although there is a big difference between cities that have both licensing and registration and the other two categories, there's a much smaller difference between cities that require either licensing or registration, but not both, and cities that have neither one," Vernick said.

(edited to add text)

Kiwi

and I bet that a similar study of criminal rates committed with firearms when guns are banned and all are melted down would show that the rates go down as well.

since that's not the point....?

Johns Hopkins University aren't they the ones who are being investigated for conducting questionable and possibly illegal experiments on kids?  I pretty sure I heard something to that effect earlier this week.

Larry