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The Effectiveness of Legislation Controlling Gun Usage

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  • Ik‐Whan G. Kwon
  • Daniel W. Baack

Abstract

Results from past research on the effectiveness of gun control legislation have been mixed. This study posits that one of the reasons for these conflicting results is the use of individual laws as the major variable. Instead, this study uses a holistic and comprehensive measure of state gun control laws, grouping states into extreme and lax gun control states. A multivariate linear regression analysis is used to investigate the relationship between a set of determinants, including the holistic gun control measure, and firearm deaths per 100,000 inhabitants of each state. The results show that comprehensive gun control legislation indeed lowers the number of gun‐related deaths anywhere between one to almost six per 100,000 individuals in those states that have the most extreme gun‐related legislation. Our study also reveals that socioeconomic and law enforcement factors play equally important roles in containing gun‐related fatalities. These findings suggest that gun‐related deaths have a variety of causes and that attempts to legislate a solution to this problem will need to be correspondingly complex and multifaceted.

Suggested Citation

  • Ik‐Whan G. Kwon & Daniel W. Baack, 2005. "The Effectiveness of Legislation Controlling Gun Usage," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 64(2), pages 533-547, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ajecsc:v:64:y:2005:i:2:p:533-547
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1536-7150.2005.00378.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marvell, Thomas B, 2001. "The Impact of Banning Juvenile Gun Possession," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 44(2), pages 691-713, October.
    2. Glaeser, Edward L & Glendon, Spencer, 1998. "Who Owns Guns? Criminals, Victims, and the Culture of Violence," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 88(2), pages 458-462, May.
    3. Mark Duggan, 2001. "More Guns, More Crime," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 109(5), pages 1086-1114, October.
    4. Mustard, David B, 2001. "The Impact of Gun Laws on Police Deaths," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 44(2), pages 635-657, October.
    5. Stephen Jarrell & Roy M. Howsen, 1990. "Transient Crowding and Crime:," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 49(4), pages 483-494, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hamlin, Daniel, 2021. "Are gun ownership rates and regulations associated with firearm incidents in American schools? A forty-year analysis (1980–2019)," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).

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