LOOKING DOWN THE BARREL OF A LOADED GUN: THE EFFECT OF MANDATORY HANDGUN PURCHASE DELAYS ON HOMICIDE AND SUICIDE

Abstract

We exploit within-state variation across time in both the existence and length of statutory delaysboth explicit wait periods and delays created by licensing requirementsbetween the purchase and delivery of a firearm to examine the effect of purchase delays on homicides and suicides. We find that the existence of a purchase delay reduces firearm-related suicides by between 2% and 5% with no statistically significant increase in non-firearm suicides. Purchase delays are not associated with statistically significant changes in homicide rates.

Keywords: gun control, suicide, Brady

JEL Classification: I18, K32