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Slipping Through the Cracks? The Impact of Reporting Mental Health Records to the National Firearm Background Check System

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  • Vars, Fredrick E.
  • Meadows, Benjamin
  • Edwards, Griffin

Abstract

Prominent players on both sides of the contentious debate over firearm regulation agree that some people with mental illness should be prohibited from purchasing firearms. This consensus exists despite limited empirical support. We assess the impact of states reporting mental health records to the national firearm background check system on homicide and suicide. Using panel data and a difference-in-differences methodology, we find that upon adding mental health records to the national system, states experienced a 3.3–4.3% decrease in firearm-related suicides with no evidence of substitution to non-firearm suicides. Our findings suggest that mental health restrictions on gun sales do effectively reduce suicide but not homicide.

Suggested Citation

  • Vars, Fredrick E. & Meadows, Benjamin & Edwards, Griffin, 2022. "Slipping Through the Cracks? The Impact of Reporting Mental Health Records to the National Firearm Background Check System," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 52-74.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:195:y:2022:i:c:p:52-74
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2021.12.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Briggs, Justin Thomas & Tabarrok, Alexander, 2014. "Firearms and suicides in US states," International Review of Law and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(C), pages 180-188.
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    4. Anestis, M.D. & Anestis, J.C., 2015. "Suicide rates and state laws regulating access and exposure to handguns," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(10), pages 2049-2058.
    5. Rodríguez Andrés, Antonio & Hempstead, Katherine, 2011. "Gun control and suicide: The impact of state firearm regulations in the United States, 1995-2004," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 101(1), pages 95-103, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Firearms; Mental health; Suicide; Homicide;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K14 - Law and Economics - - Basic Areas of Law - - - Criminal Law
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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