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Revisiting the Question "More Guns, Less Crime?" New Estimates Using Spatial Econometric Techniques

Author

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  • Donald J. Lacombe

    (West Virginia University, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Economics)

  • Amanda Ross

    (West Virginia University, College of Business and Economics)

Abstract

In a highly debated paper, Lott and Mustard (1997) found that allowing citizens to carry concealed handguns reduced crime. Since then, numerous researchers have questioned the validity of the findings. In addition, ongoing work has shown there is an important spatial component to crime. In this paper, we use spatial econometric techniques to estimate the impact of adoption of concealed weapons laws by some states on crime rates across the U.S. We find there are spillover effects of concealed weapons laws and that spatial dependence plays an important role when estimating the effect of these laws on crime.

Suggested Citation

  • Donald J. Lacombe & Amanda Ross, 2014. "Revisiting the Question "More Guns, Less Crime?" New Estimates Using Spatial Econometric Techniques," Working Papers 14-05, Department of Economics, West Virginia University.
    • Handle: RePEc:wvu:wpaper:14-05
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    File URL: https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1095&context=econ_working-papers
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mirko Draca & Stephen Machin & Robert Witt, 2011. "Panic on the Streets of London: Police, Crime, and the July 2005 Terror Attacks," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 101(5), pages 2157-2181, August.
    2. Klick, Jonathan & Tabarrok, Alexander, 2005. "Using Terror Alert Levels to Estimate the Effect of Police on Crime," Journal of Law and Economics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 48(1), pages 267-279, April.
    3. Manfred M. Fischer & Arthur Getis (ed.), 2010. "Handbook of Applied Spatial Analysis," Springer Books, Springer, number 978-3-642-03647-7, December.
    4. Rafael Di Tella & Ernesto Schargrodsky, 2004. "Do Police Reduce Crime? Estimates Using the Allocation of Police Forces After a Terrorist Attack," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(1), pages 115-133, March.
    5. Lott, John R, Jr & Mustard, David B, 1997. "Crime, Deterrence, and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handguns," The Journal of Legal Studies, University of Chicago Press, vol. 26(1), pages 1-68, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wiseman, Travis, 2016. "U.S. Shadow Economies, Corruption, and Entrepreneurship: State-level Spatial Relations," Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, Mid-Continent Regional Science Association, vol. 46(2), December.

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