NCJ Number
162696
Journal
Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology Volume: 86 Issue: 1 Dated: (Fall 1995) Pages: 221-226
Date Published
1995
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This paper challenges Polsby's analysis of the authors' article entitled Easing Firearms Laws: Effects on Homicide in three States.
Abstract
Polsby raises two major empirical issues and one major theoretical issue about the article. Polsby notes that the authors studied 20 years of data in four cities and only 10 years of data for one city. However, including 20 years of data for Miami would strengthen the conclusion that the easing of laws increased firearms homicides. Polsby's second point is that homicides decreased statewide after Florida's shall-issue law began. However, the estimates for the State lead to similar conclusions as the estimates for the cities. Finally, Polsby is skeptical of the authors' suggestion that relaxed laws on concealed firearms may set off an arms race in which criminals obtain guns to protect against victims who obtained guns to protect against criminals. Although it is impossible to show beyond doubt that this theory is correct, this theory matches the data better than some other ones. However, these findings are not beyond dispute, and further research is needed. Tables and footnotes