Firearms Violence and the Michigan Felony Firearm Law: Detroit, 1976-1978

The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of the Michigan Firearm Law on the processing of defendants in Detroit's Recorder's Court. Most variables in the study focus on the defendant and on court processing decisions made at different stages. Special attention was given to determining the presence and use of firearms and other weapons in each offense. Variables included are gender and race of the defendant, original charges, type of counsel, amount of bail, felony firearm charged, number of convictions, race of the victim, firearm used, judge, and sentence.