PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Depew, Briggs
AU  - Swensen, Isaac D.
TI  - The Decision to Carry: The Effect of Crime on Concealed-Carry Applications
AID  - 10.3368/jhr.54.4.1016.8287R2
DP  - 2018 Apr 04
TA  - Journal of Human Resources
PG  - 1016-8287R2
4099  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2018/04/02/jhr.54.4.1016.8287R2.short
4100  - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/early/2018/04/02/jhr.54.4.1016.8287R2.full
AB  - Despite persistent debate on the role of concealed-carry legislation, decisions to legally carry concealed handguns are not well understood. Using detailed data on concealed-carry permit applications, we explore whether individuals apply for concealed-carry permits in response to crime. We find that recent homicides increase applications in areas relatively near to the incident. The effects are driven by gun-related homicides, and are more pronounced for white, male, and Republican applicants. We also find suggestive evidence that applicants are more responsive when they share a demographic characteristic with the homicide victim. The results further indicate that applications after recent homicides are more likely to be renewed, consistent with persistent precautionary behaviors. Our findings provide causal evidence that crime risk influences individual decisions regarding legal gun use.