1. Routine Activities Theory
The Routine Activities Theory states that there are three
elements to a crime.
• A motivated offender
• Suitable target
• Absence of a capable guardian
The following slides will portray two totally different
towns in America with totally different perspectives on
guns and how guns contribute to crime and crime
control.
2. Morton Grove, Illinois
The story begins in 1980, when an applicant applied for a license to
open a gun store in the village of Morton Grove, Illinois. The matter
went before the Board of Trustees and in June 1981 the Board passed
an ordinance banning gun sales within the village. The Board also
approved a measure outlawing the possession of handguns. This
ordinance meant that all owners of handguns had to turn in their
handguns to the local police.
This ordinance was the first that completely banned ownership of a
handgun and was in direct conflict with the Second Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States. There was a lot of media attention
given to this story and the headlines went national. The law took effect
on February 1, 1982.
3. Kennesaw, Georgia
In 1982, Kennesaw, Georgia passed a law that
required all heads-of-households to possess a
handgun and ammunition. In 1982, Kennesaw had
“a rural population of Southern conservatives,
strong Second Amendment advocates," city
spokeswoman Pam Davis states.
The city enacted the ordinance in response to the
law passed in Morton Grove, Illinois, that
completely outlawed gun sales and ownership.
Davis says. "It was a symbolic gesture."
5. Crime Statistics, Morton Grove, IL
Prior to 2010 crime information was not provided to the FBI.
Year 2010 crime statistics
City Pop. Violent Murder Rape Robbery Aggr. Prop Burglary Larceny
crime assault crime theft
Morton
Grove 22,177 11 0 3 3 5 396 75 306
Year 2011 crime statistics
Morton
Grove 23,340 25 0 2 4 19 375 69 293
6. Kennesaw, Georgia
The crime rate in 1982, which was not that high to
begin with, plummeted after the law was enacted -
by 89%, compared with a 10% drop statewide,
according to published accounts.
Since the law was enacted in 1982 the population
of Kennesaw has increased to approximately 34,000
residents today states city spokeswoman Pam
Davis. This is a six fold increase from the 1982
count. Yet despite the enormous increase in
population the crime rates have continued to be
“significantly lower” than similar-sized Georgia
cities. Davis reports that there has never been a
reported violation of the law and believes the law
contributes significantly to the lower crime rate.
7. Morton Grove, Illinois
Morton Grove had a population of approximately
22,000 residents in 1982. The population has
increased minimally to approximately 23,270
according to the 2010 census. The crime rates in
Morton Grove have remained consistent
throughout the entire 30 years since their law was
passed, according to published reports. The law was
ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in
2008. Passing such an extreme law did absolutely
nothing to deter or affect crime rates in their city.
8. Conclusion
The Routine Activities Theory States that an
absence of a capable guardian is one of the
elements of crime. A capable guardian can also be
laws that affect the outcome of crime, such as guns
and residents that have been trained in their use.
Such a law was passed by the trustees of Kennesaw
Georgia. The knowledge that the homes in
Kennesaw are protected by guns has proven to
affect crime rates in that city and prove that
guardians are definitely an element of crime.
