THE IMPACT OF GUN LAWS ON POLICE DEATHS [View all]
Last edited Sat Mar 10, 2012, 02:26 PM - Edit history (1)
http://www.terry.uga.edu/~mustard/police.pdf
THE IMPACT OF GUN LAWS ON POLICE DEATHS*
DAVID B. MUSTARD
University of Georgia
Abstract
This paper uses state-level data from 1984–96 to examine how right-to-carry laws
and waiting periods affect the felonious deaths of police. Some people oppose concealed
weapons carry laws because they believe these laws jeopardize law enforcement
officials, who risk their lives to protect the citizenry. This paper strongly rejects
this contention. States that allowed law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons
had a slightly higher likelihood of having a felonious police death and slightly higher
police death rates prior to the law. After enactment of the right-to-carry laws, states
exhibit a reduced likelihood of having a felonious police death rate and slightly lower
rates of police deaths. States that implement waiting periods have slightly lower
felonious police death rates both before and after the law. Allowing law-abiding
citizens to carry concealed weapons does not endanger the lives of officers and may
help reduce their risk of being killed.
Another 22 pages at link, citing from numerous studies.
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