Gun Control Works

by Stuart Shapiro

Ezra Klein has a great column that includes the above graph that shows the effectiveness of state gun control laws citing work by Richard Florida.

“The map overlays the map of firearm deaths above with gun control restrictions by state,” explains Florida. “It highlights states which have one of three gun control restrictions in place – assault weapons’ bans, trigger locks, or safe storage requirements. Firearm deaths are significantly lower in states with stricter gun control legislation. Though the sample sizes are small, we find substantial negative correlations between firearm deaths and states that ban assault weapons (-.45), require trigger locks (-.42), and mandate safe storage requirements for guns (-.48).”

Klein’s column also talks about how, while Americans are divided on gun control, clear majorities support specific measures like requiring registration and assault weapons bans.

And,no, it is not politicizing a tragedy to discuss measures that would have prevented it.  We need to do more on mental health policy and no one who mentions that is accused of politicizing the horrible events of yesterday.

By: Stuart Shapiro

Stuart is a professor and the Director of the Public Policy
program at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers
University. He teaches economics and cost-benefit analysis and studies
regulation in the United States at both the federal and state levels.
Prior to coming to Rutgers, Stuart worked for five years at the Office
of Management and Budget in Washington under Presidents Clinton and
George W. Bush.