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Mass Shootings, Community Mobility, and the Relocation of Economic Activity

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  • Miguel Cuellar
  • Hyunseok Jung

Abstract

Using foot traffic data for over 150,000 points of interest (POIs) near the sites of 42 mass shootings (2018-2022, U.S.), we evaluate the spatial-temporal impact of the tragic events on community mobility and relocation of economic activities. Visits to nearby POIs decrease, while farther away POIs experience increased foot traffic, implying that communities shift their activities away from the shooting sites. The impact is stronger when stronger trauma responses are expected. Our results suggest that mass shootings drive significant displacements of economic activities and can consequently lead to welfare losses due to distortions in optimal choices of time and location.

Suggested Citation

  • Miguel Cuellar & Hyunseok Jung, 2025. "Mass Shootings, Community Mobility, and the Relocation of Economic Activity," Papers 2502.19640, arXiv.org.
    • Handle: RePEc:arx:papers:2502.19640
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    References listed on IDEAS

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