Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 14, 1995                   TAG: 9503140146
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

RELAXED GUN LAWS BROUGHT MORE KILLINGS

The university's Violence Research Group studied homicides by gun and other means before and after new, relaxed concealed-gun laws took effect in Jacksonville, Miami and Tampa, Fla.; Jackson, Miss.; and Portland, Ore.

Average monthly homicides by gun increased 74 percent in Jacksonville, 43 percent in Jackson, 22 percent in Tampa and 3 percent in Miami. Portland had a 12 percent decrease, the researchers announced Monday.

They found that while homicides by gun increased after the less restrictive laws were adopted, homicides by other means remained steady.

``While advocates of these relaxed laws argue that they will prevent crime and suggest that they have reduced homicides in areas that adopted them, we strongly suggest caution,'' said University of Maryland criminologist David McDowall. ``When states weaken limits on concealed weapons, they may be giving up a simple and effective method of preventing firearm deaths.''

The Virginia, Texas and Colorado legislatures are working on measures that would ease restrictions on concealed guns; the governors of Virginia and Texas have indicated they would sign such legislation.