News Release
Growing Evidence About the Effects of Gun Policies Provides Needed Information for Policy Decisions
Apr 21, 2020
This report, the second edition of an earlier work, synthesizes the available scientific evidence for the effects of various firearm policies on firearm deaths, violent crime, the gun industry, defensive gun use, and other outcomes. The authors highlight policies whose effects are better supported by evidence and areas where more and better information could contribute to establishing fair and effective gun policies.
A Critical Synthesis of Research Evidence on the Effects of Gun Policies in the United States, Second Edition
Does not incude Appendix B.
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This report was superseded by a revised, updated edition in January 2023.
In this report, part of the RAND Corporation's Gun Policy in America initiative, researchers seek objective information about what the scientific literature reveals about the likely effects of various gun laws. In this second edition of an earlier work, the authors add five gun policies to the 13 examined in the original analysis and expand the study time frame to incorporate a larger body of research. With those adjustments, the authors synthesize the available scientific data on the effects of 18 policies on firearm deaths, violent crime, the gun industry, defensive gun use, and other outcomes. By highlighting where scientific evidence is accumulating, the authors hope to build consensus around a shared set of facts that have been established through a transparent, nonpartisan, and impartial review process. In so doing, they also illuminate areas where more and better information could make important contributions to establishing fair and effective gun policies.
Part A
Introduction and Methods
Chapter One
Introduction
Chapter Two
Methods
Part B
Evidence for the Effects of Policies Regulating Who May Legally Own, Purchase, or Possess Firearms
Chapter Three
Minimum Age Requirements
Chapter Four
Prohibitions Associated with Mental Illness
Chapter Five
Prohibitions Associated with Domestic Violence
Chapter Six
Surrender of Firearms by Prohibited Possessors
Chapter Seven
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
Part C
Evidence for the Effects of Policies Regulating Firearm Sales and Transfers
Chapter Eight
Background Checks
Chapter Nine
Licensing and Permitting Requirements
Chapter Ten
Waiting Periods
Chapter Eleven
Firearm Safety Training Requirements
Chapter Twelve
Lost or Stolen Firearm Reporting Requirements
Chapter Thirteen
Firearm Sales Reporting, Recording, and Registration Requirements
Chapter Fourteen
Bans on the Sale of Assault Weapons and High-Capacity Magazines
Chapter Fifteen
Bans on Low-Quality Handguns
Part D
Evidence for the Effects of Policies Regulating the Legal Use, Storage, or Carrying of Firearms
Chapter Sixteen
Stand-Your-Ground Laws
Chapter Seventeen
Child-Access Prevention Laws
Chapter Eighteen
Concealed-Carry Laws
Chapter Nineteen
Gun-Free Zones
Chapter Twenty
Laws Allowing Armed Staff in K–12 Schools
Part E
Summary of Findings and Recommendations
Chapter Twenty-One
Summary and Conclusions
Appendix A
Changes from the First Edition of This Report
Funding for this philanthropically supported research was originally provided through unrestricted gifts from RAND supporters and income from operations and supported by a grant from Arnold Ventures. The research was conducted by the Justice Policy Program within Social and Behavioral Policy Program.
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