The Science of Gun Policy
2023
This 2023 report by the RAND Corporation provides a comprehensive review of gun policies in the United States and their long-term impacts on various firearm-related outcomes, including deaths, violent crime, and industry practices. Overall, the authors found that relatively few existing policies have been examined in methodologically rigorous scientific studies. Most research that has been conducted has generally examined outcomes that impact gun-owners and industry stakeholders rather than the public safety and population health.
Nevertheless, a small body of research has found that child-access prevention laws (safe storage laws) effectively reduce self-inflicted firearm injuries among young people and children as well as firearm homicide among youth. Studies on background checks have also shown, with moderate evidence, to reduce homicides. There is also moderate evidence that imposing a minimum age for gun purchases reduces suicides among young people. Based on these findings, the authors also identify a number of recommendations including the passage of new laws (e.g., adopting child-access prevention laws), changing existing laws (e.g., amending or repealing stand-your-ground laws), and lifting restrictions on gun violence research.
Source:
The Science of Gun Policy: A Critical Synthesis of Research Evidence on the Effects of Gun Policies in the United States. RAND Corporation 2023. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA243-4.html.