The Big Bang: An Analysis of Concealed Carry Laws

Abstract

Firearm violence and concealed carry laws continue to be a topic of policy related discussions. Some argue that these laws have a deterrent effect on crime and others argue that they increase crime due to the wider availability of firearms. I conduct an analysis of these laws by observing the effect of concealed carry laws on 200 counties over 20 years. I first recreate the results of Cook and Ludwig 2006 which show a positive relationship between firearm ownership and homicide rates. I then add concealed carry data and observe the effects of varying levels of concealed carry laws on these same counties over the same time period. My results suggest that the presence of concealed carry laws is associated with a decrease in the homicide rate. I then calculate the expected social benefit from these laws and find that there is the potential for $9 billion in annual savings if these laws were implemented.