The Effect of Self-Defense Laws on Firearm Use Among Criminal Offenders

Criminal violence frequently increases within jurisdictions following the implementation of self-defense laws. One explanation for this finding is a firearm amplification effect, whereby criminal offenders increasingly use firearms as a direct response to the amplified threat engendered by citizens....

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: D'Alessio, Stewart J. (Author) ; Stolzenberg, Lisa (Author) ; Guerette, Rob T. 1972- (Author) ; Zgoba, Kristen (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2023
In: Crime & delinquency
Year: 2023, Volume: 69, Issue: 13/14, Pages: 2826-2845
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
self-defense laws
stand your ground
castle doctrine
firearms and crime
firearm amplification effect
Description
Summary:Criminal violence frequently increases within jurisdictions following the implementation of self-defense laws. One explanation for this finding is a firearm amplification effect, whereby criminal offenders increasingly use firearms as a direct response to the amplified threat engendered by citizens. Using longitudinal data drawn from the National Incident-Based Reporting System for 95 cities situated in 15 states, we investigate whether the passing of a stand your ground or castle doctrine law amplifies the likelihood of gun use by criminal offenders. Results from a panel analysis show a marked rise in gun use among criminal offenders following the imposition of both types of self-defense laws. These findings furnish empirical support for the firearm amplification thesis.
ISSN:1552-387X
DOI:10.1177/00111287221077629