"Prohibited possessors and the law: How inmates in Los Angeles jails un" by Melissa Barragan, Kelsie Y. Chesnut et al.

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Title

Prohibited possessors and the law: How inmates in Los Angeles jails understand firearm and ammunition regulations

Authors

Melissa Barragan, University of California, Irvine
Kelsie Y. Chesnut, University of California, Irvine
Jason Gravel, University of California, Irvine
Natalie A. Pifer, University of Rhode Island
Keramet Reiter, University of California, Irvine
Nicole Sherman, California State University, Chico
George Tita, University of California, Irvine

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

10-1-2017

Abstract

Using data from 140 interviews with individuals detained in the Los Angeles County Jail system, this article examines what gun offenders know about gun and ammunition regulation in California. Though most respondents had a consistent, albeit general, understanding of the regulations limiting gun acquisition and possession, analysis suggests that their understanding of ammunition restrictions was more limited. Our sample's awareness of firearms law is especially important to consider given that they are the very population targeted by firearms regulations and prohibitions at the local, state, and federal level. By examining what detained offenders know about firearms laws, we can better theorize about individual gaps in legal knowledge and the realistic expectations for how understanding of the law can affect behavior.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Barragan, Melissa, Kelsie Y. Chesnut, Jason Gravel, Natalie A. Pifer, Keramet Reiter, Nicole Sherman, and George Tita. "Prohibited possessors and the law: How inmates in Los Angeles jails understand firearm and ammunition regulations." (2017). doi: 10.7758/rsf.2017.3.5.07.