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

Lott, John  R.

doi:10.2139/ssrn.523002

Abstract

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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.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 29

Keywords: Crime, Deterrence, Guns

JEL Classification: K0, K14

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Date posted: April 1, 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 http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.523002

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