Posted on 04/16/2007 6:00:44 PM PDT by BCrago66
Few events obtain the same instant worldwide news coverage as multiple victim public shootings. These crimes allow us to study the alternative methods used to kill a large number of people (e.g., shootings versus bombings), marginal deterrence and the severity of the crime, substitutability of penalties, private versus public methods of deterrence and incapacitation, and whether attacks produce copycats. Yet, economists have not studied this phenomenon. Our results are surprising and dramatic. While arrest or conviction rates and the death penalty reduce normal murder rates, our results find that the only policy factor to influence multiple victim public shootings is the passage of concealed handgun laws. We explain why public shootings are more sensitive than other violent crimes to concealed handguns, why the laws reduce both the number of shootings as well as their severity, and why other penalties like executions have differential deterrent effects depending upon the type of murder.
This is a scholarly article, confirming common sense: Multiple shootings are much more likely in gun-free zones, in which concealed carry is illegal, and much less likely in jurisdictions in which citizens are allowed the right to self-defense.
The above link is to the article abstract; here's the link to the PDF of the entire article:
http://www.thevrwc.org/JohnLott.pdf
John Lott has written popular articles on multiple shootings based upon the research in this article; I don't have the time now, but I imagine those articles are easy to find via Google.
JOHN R. LOTT Jr.
State University of New York - Department of EconomicsWILLIAM M. LANDES .
University of Chicago Law School; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
While arrest or conviction rates and the death penalty reduce normal murder rates, our results find that the only policy factor to influence multiple victim public shootings is the passage of concealed handgun laws.
While arrest or conviction rates and the death penalty reduce normal murder rates, our results find that the only policy factor to influence multiple victim public shootings is the passage of concealed handgun laws.
While arrest or conviction rates and the death penalty reduce normal murder rates, our results find that the only policy factor to influence multiple victim public shootings is the passage of concealed handgun laws.
Boy, you can sure say that again! ;-)
No biggie Kay; I’ve double and triple posted when my computer wasn’t giving me the right feedback. :-)
Sincerely,
Mary Carpenter
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7CCB40F421ED4819
http://www.tysknews.com/Depts/2nd_Amend/deaths_in_merced.htm
(yeah, yeah, yeah, screw posting ettiquete)
If it has John Lott’s name on it , you know ‘tis righteous.
Some thoughts on the Virginia Tech tragedy.
We are at war, both abroad and AT HOME, with an enemy who has sworn to kill as many of us as possible. This enemy DOES NOT recognize conventional rules of war such as the Geneva Convention. They do not wear recognizable uniforms. This enemy DOES NOT distinguish between military and civilian targets. At present civilian targets in the United States are NOT ARMED and have very little means by which to counter an attack. And because civilian targets are NOT armed, they are a softer, easier, less dangerous target than a heavily armed soldier. For that reason, this enemy PREFERS civilian targets.
As of this writing, we have yet to learn whether the deaths of 32 Americans at Virginia Tech was the work of a disgruntled, deranged student or former university employee.
It’s entirely possible that this killer was, in fact, a member of some radical muslin sect who took it upon himself to conduct what is now being called “instant jihad” against a very soft target, obeying the utterances of one of the more radical Muslim mullahs and randomly killing as many Americans as possible. At least one Muslim cleric has specifically called for the killing of our children. Given the PC environment in this country – which is at its zenith on college campuses – we may NEVER learn that fact from the authorities in charge of this investigation AND IT REALLY DOESN’T MATTER BECAUSE THE DEFENSELESS VICTIMS ARE JUST AS DEAD!
Israel has been at war with these folks for more than half a century. The Israelis know that it is NOT possible to have enough police out there to protect their civilian population. For that reason, it is common to see Israeli citizens – admittedly former military (as most Israelis are) going about their daily lives – with an Uzi slung under their arm! Most Israeli citizens carry smaller weapons not so easily seen. Because they ARE at war, they are an ARMED society. Yes, they ARE attacked. But –with the exception of suicide bombers — the attackers know that they will either be killed BEFORE the body count mounts or will certainly die before fleeing the scene.
The Israelis REFUSE to live as prisoners. Many of them had experienced that in Europe. They KNEW what they had to do and did it: THEY GRASPED THE SIMPLE FACT THAT WHEN IT CAME TO IMMEDIATE PERSONAL SECURITY, A CITIZEN IS ON HIS OWN AND ALLOW THEIR CITIZENS THE GOD-GIVEN RIGHT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES!
Any guesses when American “authorities” will begin to connect the dots? Can you say “never?” Without SERIOUS public pressure on these “authorities,” we will continue to die needlessly while waiting for the SWAT boys to show up.
What amazes me is that more of this sort of thing hasn’t happened in OTHER soft targets like public and private schools, shopping malls, theaters, sports bars (most states currently prohibit even CCW permit holders from carrying in bars), restaurants, etc.
The enemy is NOT stupid. This is just the beginning.
And if you think you and yours will NOT be in the cross-hairs, think again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j73SsNFgBO4
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