Gun Policy in America: New Insights

Informing the Gun Policy Debate

RAND's Gun Policy in America initiative provides information on what scientific research can tell us about the effects of gun laws. Our goal is to establish a shared set of facts that will improve public discussions and support the development of fair and effective gun policies.

The Science of Gun Policy: Second Edition

Unbiased evidence about the likely effects of gun laws is critical to developing fair and effective gun policies. This report, part of the RAND Gun Policy in America initiative, updates the available evidence about the potential effects of 13 laws and adds analyses of five new classes of law.

Rosanna Smart @RosannaSmart, Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral, et al.

Firearm Use and Storage Restrictions Associated with Reduction in Deaths

Three common types of gun laws are associated with changes in the rate of firearm deaths, with the most-restrictive combination of the laws estimated to result in an 11 percent reduction in deaths.

COVID-19 Reveals Need for More Research About Guns

Recent reports suggest that Americans reacted to the pandemic by purchasing guns and ammunition in massive numbers. What does this mean for public safety? And how can policymakers ensure that this doesn't result in more injuries or deaths?

Andrew R. Morral @AndrewMorral, Jeremy Travis

Gun Policy Research for High School Students

When RAND's Gun Policy in America initiative released its first set of research tools in 2018, high school teachers reported that their students were keenly interested. This new unit plan, recommended for grades 10 to 12, is designed to help educators and students understand gun policy research.

Elaine Lin Wang, Rosanna Smart @RosannaSmart