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Have U.S. Gun Buyback Programs Misfired?

Author

Listed:
  • Toshio Ferrazares
  • Joseph J. Sabia
  • D. Mark Anderson

Abstract

Gun buyback programs (GBPs), which use public funds to purchase civilians' privately-owned firearms, aim to reduce gun violence. However, next to nothing is known about their effects on firearm-related crime or deaths. Using data from the National Incident Based Reporting System, we find no evidence that GBPs reduce gun crime. Given our estimated null findings, with 95 percent confidence, we can rule out decreases in firearm-related crime of greater than 1.1 percent during the year following a buyback. Using data from the National Vital Statistics System, we also find no evidence that GBPs reduce suicides or homicides where a firearm was involved. These results call into question the efficacy of city gun buyback programs in their current form.

Suggested Citation

  • Toshio Ferrazares & Joseph J. Sabia & D. Mark Anderson, 2021. "Have U.S. Gun Buyback Programs Misfired?," NBER Working Papers 28763, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:28763
    Note: EH LE
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    Cited by:

    1. Ladino, Juan Felipe & Saavedra, Santiago & Wiesner, Daniel, 2021. "One step ahead of the law: The net effect of anticipation and implementation of Colombia’s illegal crops substitution program," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law

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