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/lp/american-economic-association/state-gun-policy-and-cross-state-externalities-evidence-from-crime-gun-Xc0oXq07Oq
- Publisher
- American Economic Association
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2013 by the American Economic Association
- Subject
- Articles
- ISSN
- 1945-7731
- eISSN
- 1945-774x
- DOI
- 10.1257/pol.5.4.200
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
Abstract This paper provides a theoretical and empirical analysis of cross-state externalities associated with gun regulations that impact gun trafficking. Using tracing data, which identify the source state for crime guns recovered in destination states, we find that firearms tend to flow from states with weak laws to states with strict laws, satisfying a key theoretical condition for the existence of externalities. We also find that gun flows are more significant between nearby states, suggesting that externalities are spatial in nature. Finally, we present evidence that criminal possession of guns is higher in states exposed to weak laws in nearby states. (JEL H76 , K14 , K42 )
Journal
American Economic Journal: Economic Policy – American Economic Association
Published: Nov 1, 2013