Title: The Benefits of Reducing Gun Violence: Evidence from Contingent-Valuation Survey Data

Publication Date: May 2001

What does it say?

This study examines the benefit of reducing gun violence and how much a proposed reduction of gun violence by 30% of would cost United States households. Using a contingent-valuation and willing to pay (WTP) method, along with the 1998 National Gun Policy survey data, it is estimated that the American public would be “willing to pay” a total of 24.5 billion dollars to reduce gun assaults by 30%.

Several factors that had significant impacts on an individual’s “willing-to-pay” amount included perceptions of likelihood that they could be shot, likelihood a member of their household would be shot, risk that someone outside their household whom they feel altruistic towards may be shot, among other factors. The higher the likelihood of any of these events would occur, the more an individual would be “willing to pay.”

The study uses data from the 1998 National Gun Policy survey that was collected from 1,204 adults in U.S. households. Each respondent was asked a referendum type question that gauged if they would be for or against new gun regulation policies and programs that would reduce gun thefts and illegal sales, in hopes of keeping the weapons out of the hands of criminals and reducing gun crime by 30%. Those individuals that answered that they would support these programs were given a “willing to pay” amount. After extensive mathematical calculation, it was estimated that each household would pay an extra $240 in taxes a year to reduce gun assaults by 30%.

How can I use it?

Use this study as evidence, measured by what individuals would be “willing to pay” to reduce gun violence by 30%, to support efforts to try and prevent gun violence. Advocating for and supporting policies and programs such as requiring background checks for all gun sales, stricter monitoring of gun sales in all forums, and harsher penalties for those that commit gun crimes and engage in illegal gun sales are all ways to help reduce gun crime and assaults.

Citation

Ludwig, Jens and Phillip J. Cook, “The Benefits of Reducing Gun Violence: Evidence from Contingent-Valuation Survey Data,” The Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, 22(3) (2001): 207-226 

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