In a highly debated paper, Lott & Mustard (1997) found that allowing citizens to carry concealed handguns reduced crime. Since then, numerous researchers have questioned the validity of the findings. In addition, ongoing work has shown there is an important spatial component to crime. In this...

The debate surrounding the Second Amendment sometimes includes a simplistic, false dichotomy which can be summarized as: Guns versus safety. Concealed handgun permit holders are extremely law- abiding, with a lower conviction rate of misdemeanors or felonies than even police officers, suggesting...