I expect that John will be looking at this very shortly.
I notice that the study “examines whether aiding self-defense in this way deters crime or, alternatively, escalates violence.” The two are not contradictory or mutually exclusive.
Excellent point about Lott. He does great work. I’ve been following him since his part in eviscerating Michael Bellesiles’ pile of dung made-up “history” of firearms in early America. I regret missing a chance to FReep Bellesiles at a speaking engagement while that was all going on due to a personal conflict.