Survey: Top Cops Say Gun Control Laws Ineffective A survey by the National Association of Chiefs of Police shows the nation’s top law enforcement officers believe criminals ignore gun control laws and that the average citizen can be trusted to responsibly own firearms, reports the Illinois State Rifle Association. The survey revealed that 96 percent of chiefs and sheriffs believe criminals ignore gun control laws, while 93 percent felt citizens should be able to purchase firearms for sport and self-defense. "I hope that the Illinois General Assembly is paying close attention to what our top cops have to say," said ISRA Executive Director Richard Pearson. "It's time for the legislature to stop trying to find ways to harass the law-abiding gun owner and start finding ways to keep criminals in jail and off our streets."