Author: Leigh, Andrew
Title: Do Gun Buybacks Save Lives? Evidence from Panel Data
Summary: In 1997, Australia implemented a gun buyback program that reduced the stock of firearms by around one-fifth. Using differences across states in the number of firearms withdrawn, this study tests whether the reduction in firearms availability affected firearm homicide and suicide rates. The study found that the buyback led to a drop in the firearm suicide rates of almost 80 percent, with no statistically significant effect on non-firearm death rates. The estimated effect on firearm homicides is of similar magnitude, but is less precise. The results are robust to a variety of specification checks, and to instrumenting the state-level buyback rate.
Details: Bonn, Germany: Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), 2010. 55p.
Source: Internet Resource; IZA Discussion Paper No. 4995
Year: 2010
Country: Australia
URL:
Shelf Number: 118790
Keywords:
FirearmsFirearms (Australia)Gun Buyback ProgramsGun ControlHomicideSuicide |
