Have U.S. Gun Buyback Programs Misfired?

72 Pages Posted: 10 May 2021 Last revised: 3 Feb 2023

See all articles by Toshio Ferrazares

Toshio Ferrazares

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Joseph Sabia

San Diego State University - Department of Economics

D. Mark Anderson

Montana State University - Bozeman - Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics

Date Written: May 2021

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

Ferrazares, Toshio and Sabia, Joseph and Anderson, D. Mark, Have U.S. Gun Buyback Programs Misfired? (May 2021). NBER Working Paper No. w28763, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3842738

Toshio Ferrazares (Contact Author)

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States

Joseph Sabia

San Diego State University - Department of Economics ( email )

5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182
United States

D. Mark Anderson

Montana State University - Bozeman - Department of Agricultural Economics and Economics ( email )

Bozeman, MT 59717-2920
United States

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