Publication Date: December 2007
What does it say?
Using data collected from ten different American cities, researchers found that the Brady Law caused a statistically significant decrease in homicide. With the same dataset, researchers found that laws making it easier for people to carry guns concealed in public places did not decrease homicide rates. This study adopts recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences’ report on ways to improve the quality of firearm injury research. Using these improved methods, the research indicates that the Brady Law helps to reduce homicide.
How can I use it?
Use the information in this report to continue to advocate to legislators, media and friends about the effectiveness of Brady background checks in preventing homicide. This report is especially important because it incorporates critiques from the National Academy of Sciences about ways to strengthen gun policy research.
Citation
La Valle, James M. “Rebuilding at Gunpoint: A City-Level Re-Estimation of the Brady Law and RTC Laws in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina,” Criminal Justice Policy Review 18 (2007):451-465.
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