Handgun Control, Inc.

Handgun Control, Inc. (HCI) is a national organization that advocates gun control regulation. In the following viewpoint, HCI argues that a waiting period with an accompanying background check is the best way to prevent criminals from illegally purchasing handguns. Many criminal records are not computerized, the organization maintains, and therefore law enforcement officials need the waiting period in which to complete an adequate background check. A system that instantly checks a gun purchaser’s background without a waiting period frequently returns incomplete records, HCI contends, and would allow many criminals to buy handguns.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What is a beneficial side effect of the five-day waiting period, according to HCI?
2. What percentage of criminal records were computerized in 1995, as cited by Handgun Control?
3. How many prohibited gun purchasers were...