James B. Jacobs

James B. Jacobs is a professor of law at New York University and the author of Can Gun Control Work", from which the following viewpoint is excerpted. In it he argues that most gun control initiatives in the United States are misguided because they seek to keep guns out of the hands of citizens and criminals alike. Jacobs writes that efforts to reduce access to guns—such as background checks for gun purchasers or bans on assault weapons or handguns—are futile, since criminals can easily obtain guns through the black market. Instead of gun prohibition, Jacobs argues that gun control initiatives should focus on cracking down on gun crimes and encouraging responsible gun ownership and use among civilians.

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1. What are the four kinds of gun...