Determinants of Variation in State Concealed Carry Laws, 1970-2016

• NCJ Number: 253928
• Journal: Sociological Forum Volume: 34 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2019 Pages: 434-457
• Author(s): Chad A. Malone; Trent Steidley
• Date Published: June 2019
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2014-R2-CX-0004
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description

Annotation

In addressing the issue as to why some U.S. states have more permissive concealed carry weapons (CCW) laws than other states, the current study tested several plausible social, political, and economic factors thought to affect the likelihood of this outcome over several decades.

Abstract

Models estimated using random effects ordered logistic regression reveal that theoretical accounts based on partisan politics, gendered politics, economic threat, and racial threat largely explain variation in CCW laws over time. Tests for interactions, however, indicate that the influence of gubernatorial politics varied according to Republican strength in the legislature and by region. Also, the impact of racial threat on CCW laws is dependent on the crime rate. Overall, this research advances the literature by simultaneously assessing all plausible state level CCW policies, incorporating novel threat and political predictors, and utilizing a larger sample size than prior studies. (publisher abstract modified)