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Right-to-Carry Laws and Violent Crime Revisited: Clustering, Measurement Error, and State-by-State Break downs

John R. Lott Jr.
University of Maryland Foundation, University of Maryland

February 4, 2004

Abstract:
This paper investigates several contested issues over how concealed handguns affect crime. Whether accounting for robust errors with clustering or reducing measurement error in the crime rates, the results consistently show large drops in violent crime rates after right-to-carry laws are adopted. By six years after the law, murder rates have fallen by 9 percent, rape by 11 percent, and robbery by 7 percent.

Keywords: Crime, Deterrence, Guns

JEL Classifications: K0, K14

Working Paper Series

Date posted: April 01, 2004 ; Last revised: April 28, 2004

Suggested Citation

Lott, John R., Right-to-Carry Laws and Violent Crime Revisited: Clustering, Measurement Error, and State-by-State Break downs (February 4, 2004). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=523002 or doi:10.2139/ssrn.523002

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Contact Information

John R. Lott Jr. (Contact Author)

University of Maryland Foundation, University of Maryland ( email )

University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
United States