Gun Policy Expert-Opinion Tool
Comparing Insights on the Potential Effects of Policy Changes
Scientific research on the effects of gun policies is often inconclusive. This means that experts’ informed judgments about such effects are an especially important influence on gun policy decisions.
RAND surveyed experts—specifically, academic researchers, commentary writers, congressional analysts, and individuals nominated by professional or advocacy organizations with an interest in gun policy—who have diverse views on how gun policies might affect outcomes, such as property crime, suicide, and participation in hunting and sport shooting. According to their responses, the experts fell into two groups: those who favor more-restrictive gun policies and those who favor more-permissive ones.
This tool allows you to explore where these experts agree and disagree about the effects of gun policies and what combinations of laws might be satisfactory to all sides.
For more information on the survey participants, design, and findings, see the related research report.
1. Toggle laws on or off in all states
Explore state and nationwide effects of gun policies, as predicted by policy experts, by turning laws "on" (enacting them in all states) or "off" (repealing them in states where they are currently in place). You'll see a comparison between experts who favor more-permissive policies for gun use and access and those who favor more-restrictive policies. The more laws you turn on or off, the more speculative the results will be.