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Evidence concerning the regulation of firearms design, sale, and carrying on fatal mass shootings in the United States
Author(s) -
Webster Daniel W.,
McCourt Alexander D.,
Crifasi Cassandra K.,
Booty Marisa D.,
Stuart Elizabeth A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
criminology and public policy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.6
H-Index - 33
eISSN - 1745-9133
pISSN - 1538-6473
DOI - 10.1111/1745-9133.12487
Subject(s) - gun control , homicide , law , poison control , suicide prevention , injury prevention , criminology , business , political science , medical emergency , medicine , psychology
Research Summary We used data from the FBI's Supplemental Homicide Reports and other publicly available databases to calculate state‐level annual incidence of fatal mass shootings for 1984–2017. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the associations between changes in key gun laws and fatal mass shootings. Handgun purchaser licensing laws and bans of large‐capacity magazines (LCMs) were associated with significant reductions in the incidence of fatal mass shootings. Other laws commonly advocated as solutions to mass shootings—comprehensive background checks, assault weapons bans, and de‐regulation of civilian concealed carry of firearms—were unrelated to fatal mass shootings. Policy Implications Our findings suggest that laws requiring firearm purchasers to be licensed through a background check process supported by fingerprints and laws banning LCMs are the most effective gun policies for reducing fatal mass shootings.