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May Issue Versus Shall Issue: Explaining The Pattern Of Concealed‐Carry Handgun Laws, 1960–2001

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  • RICHARD S. GROSSMAN
  • STEPHEN A. LEE

Abstract

We analyze the timing and pattern of adoption of “shall issue” concealed‐carry handgun laws. “Shall issue” laws require the authorities to issue permits to qualified applicants; “may issue” laws give the authorities more latitude to reject applications. We find three factors influence the shift from “may issue” to “shall issue.” First, more urban states are less likely to shift to “shall issue,” although the size of this effect is quantitatively small. Second, the switch is influenced by the decisions taken by neighboring states. Third, we find evidence that increases in the crime rate accelerated the switch to “shall issue.”(JEL K40)

Suggested Citation

  • Richard S. Grossman & Stephen A. Lee, 2008. "May Issue Versus Shall Issue: Explaining The Pattern Of Concealed‐Carry Handgun Laws, 1960–2001," Contemporary Economic Policy, Western Economic Association International, vol. 26(2), pages 198-206, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:coecpo:v:26:y:2008:i:2:p:198-206
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1465-7287.2007.00094.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Ian Ayres & John J. Donohue, 2009. "More Guns, Less Crime Fails Again: The Latest Evidence from 1977–2006," Econ Journal Watch, Econ Journal Watch, vol. 6(2), pages 218-238, May.
    4. Angela K. Dills & Jeffrey A. Miron & Garrett Summers, 2010. "What Do Economists Know about Crime?," NBER Chapters, in: The Economics of Crime: Lessons For and From Latin America, pages 269-302, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    5. Christopher Mullins & Daniel Kavish, 2017. "Conceal Carry and Race: A Test of Minority Threat Theory in Law Generation," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-11, December.
    6. David Fortunato, 2015. "Can Easing Concealed Carry Deter Crime?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 96(4), pages 1071-1085, December.
    7. Briggs Depew & Isaac D. Swensen, 2019. "The Decision to Carry: The Effect of Crime on Concealed-Carry Applications," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 54(4), pages 1121-1153.
    8. Linda S. Ghent & Alan P. Grant, 2015. "Concealed Carry in the Show-Me State: Do Voters in Favor of Right-to-Carry Legislation End Up Packing Heat?," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 96(1), pages 191-201, March.
    9. Anderson, D. Mark & Sabia, Joseph J., 2016. "Child Access Prevention Laws, Youth Gun Carrying, and School Shootings," IZA Discussion Papers 9830, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    10. Barati, Mehdi, 2016. "New evidence on the impact of concealed carry weapon laws on crime," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 76-83.
    11. David Yamane & Paul Yamane & Sebastian L. Ivory, 2020. "Targeted advertising: documenting the emergence of Gun Culture 2.0 in Guns magazine, 1955–2019," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • K40 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - General

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