Share
A recent study by Princeton researchers Patrick Sharkey and Megan Kang has revealed that stricter gun laws implemented by 40 states between 1991 and 2016 have resulted in a significant reduction in gun-related deaths. The study found that these laws prevented approximately 4,300 gun deaths in 2016 alone, accounting for about 10% of the total gun deaths nationwide. States with more stringent regulations, such as background checks and waiting periods, consistently reported fewer gun-related fatalities.
Sharkey, who has spent years studying violent crime, admitted that the results were surprising. He had previously been skeptical about the impact of stricter gun laws on reducing violent crime. However, the study’s findings have led him to conclude that the issue of gun violence is not insurmountable and that significant progress has been made through public policy.
The study also highlighted the effectiveness of state-level changes, demonstrating that even seemingly minor policies, such as safety-training requirements or age restrictions, can have a cumulative impact. Sharkey emphasized that while no single policy can completely eliminate the circulation of guns, a combination of regulations can significantly reduce gun-related deaths.
However, the study also noted a worrying trend: the progress made in reducing gun violence appears to have stalled since 2016. Many states have relaxed their gun laws in recent years, and gun sales have surged, particularly during the Covid pandemic. Sharkey pointed out that these trends — looser laws, increased firearm purchases, and a rise in gun deaths — are likely interconnected.
Read more at The New York Times.
RELATED TOPICS:
Will Gov. Newsom Call a Special Session to Deal With Gas Prices?
2 hours ago
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
13 hours ago
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
14 hours ago
Top Brazilian Judge Orders Suspension of X Platform in Brazil Amid Feud With Musk
1 day ago
How a Real Estate Boom Drove Political Corruption in Los Angeles
1 day ago
![Police officers secure the area and investigate the scene of a shooting at Union Square in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (Santiago Mejia/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31184052/piersall-shooting-1024x683.jpg)
49ers Rookie WR Ricky Pearsall Shot in Attempted Union Square Robbery
![Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at an event in anticipation of signing a bill on his proposed oil profit penalty plan in Sacramento on March 28, 2023. (CalMatters/ Miguel Gutierrez Jr.)](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/31175839/newsom-big-oil.webp)
Will Gov. Newsom Call a Special Session to Deal With Gas Prices?
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/16183042/Eagles-vs-49ers.jpg)
Bettors Banking on Eagles Resurgence, Cowboys Regression as NFL Season Begins
![A black poodle's face with his tongue sticking out](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/29135336/Rescued-from-an-abandoned-home-after-weeks-of-fending-for-himself-Adam-a-shy-but-sweet-poodle-mix-is-now-seeking-a-loving-forever-home.-Mells-Mutts-1024x538.jpg)
Abandoned Poodle Mix Adam Survives the Wild and Seeks a Forever Home
![](https://gvwire.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/28091346/082824-Lede-1024x576.jpg)