Are Red Flag Laws a green light to save lives?

Abstract

Mass shootings have become a prominent topic of discussion in recent years, prompting policymakers in the United States to take action through state legislation aimed at reducing their occurrence. Red Flag Laws seek to implement gun control measures by allowing the removal of firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others. In this study, I examine the impact of Red Flag Laws on suicide rates and homicides, utilizing a two-way fixed effects difference-indifferences approach. The findings reveal that states with Red Flag Laws experience a decrease of just over 6% in suicide rates and 10% in homicide rates. These effects are primarily driven by states that permit both family members and law enforcement to petition a state court for the removal of firearms.

Keywords: K42, H11, I12 Red Flag Law, suicide, gun violence

JEL Classification: K42, I18