The Effect of Concealed-Carry and Handgun Restrictions on Gun-Related Deaths: Evidence from the Sullivan Act of 1911

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Date

2022-01

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Oxford University Press

Abstract

The 1911 New York State Sullivan Act outlawed carrying concealable firearms without a licence, established strict licencing rules and regulated the sale and possession of handguns. We analyse the effects of the Sullivan Act using historical data on mortality rates, pistol permits and citations for illegal carrying. Our analysis of pistol permits and citations reveal clear initial effects of the Sullivan Act on gun-related behaviours. Using synthetic control and difference-in-differences methodologies, our main analyses show no effects on overall homicide rates, evidence of a reduction in overall suicide rates and strong evidence of a large and sustained decrease in gun-related suicide rates.

Description

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in The Economic Journal following peer review. The version of record [The Effect of Concealed-Carry and Handgun Restrictions on Gun-Related Deaths: Evidence from the Sullivan Act of 1911. The Economic Journal 132, 646 p2118-2140 (2022)] is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/ueac004.

Keywords

concealed carry, right to carry, crime, precautionary behavior, gun control, demand for guns

Citation

Briggs Depew, Isaac Swensen, The Effect of Concealed-Carry and Handgun Restrictions on Gun-Related Deaths: Evidence from the Sullivan Act of 1911, The Economic Journal, Volume 132, Issue 646, August 2022, Pages 2118–2140, https://doi.org/10.1093/ej/ueac004
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