Do open carry laws increase violence?
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Do Open Carry Laws Increase Violence?
Introduction to Open Carry Laws and Violence
Open carry laws, which allow individuals to carry firearms openly in public, have been a contentious issue in the United States. Proponents argue that these laws deter crime by enabling self-defense, while opponents claim they lead to increased violence. This article synthesizes recent research to determine whether open carry laws contribute to higher rates of violence.
Impact of Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Laws on Violent Crime
Several studies have examined the effects of concealed carry weapons (CCW) laws, which are closely related to open carry laws, on violent crime. Research indicates that the adoption of Shall-Issue CCW laws, which make it easier for individuals to obtain permits to carry concealed weapons, is associated with an increase in violent crime. Specifically, these laws have been linked to a 9.5% increase in assaults with firearms and an 8.8% increase in homicides by other means within the first ten years of adoption. The harmful effects are particularly pronounced when the laws lack provisions to prevent individuals with violent misdemeanor convictions from obtaining permits .
Right-to-Carry (RTC) Laws and Workplace Homicides
Right-to-Carry (RTC) laws, which mandate that authorities issue concealed handgun permits to qualified applicants, have also been scrutinized for their impact on violence. A longitudinal analysis from 1992 to 2017 found that RTC laws were significantly associated with a 29% increase in firearm-related workplace homicides. This suggests that more permissive gun-carrying laws may pose a threat to worker safety and contribute to higher rates of violence in professional settings.
Effects of RTC Laws on Urban Crime
Research focusing on major U.S. cities has shown that RTC laws lead to significant increases in violent crime. In a study of 47 major cities, RTC laws were associated with a 29% increase in firearm violent crime and a 32% increase in firearm robbery. The study also noted a 35% increase in gun theft, which further fuels violent crime, and a 13% decline in police effectiveness in solving violent crimes. These findings indicate that the potential crime-deterring benefits of increased gun carrying are outweighed by the crime-stimulating impacts.
Comprehensive Assessments of RTC Laws
A comprehensive assessment using state-level panel data and synthetic control analysis confirmed that RTC laws are associated with a 13-15% increase in overall violent crime rates ten years after adoption. This study highlights the long-term impact of RTC laws on increasing violence, suggesting that states adopting these laws may need to significantly increase their prison populations to offset the rise in violent crime.
Conclusion
The body of research reviewed indicates that more permissive gun-carrying laws, including both open carry and concealed carry laws, are associated with increased rates of violence. These laws appear to contribute to higher rates of assaults, homicides, and firearm-related workplace homicides. The evidence suggests that the potential benefits of deterrence are overshadowed by the increase in violent crime, making it crucial for policymakers to consider these findings when debating the implementation or relaxation of gun-carrying laws.
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