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Article
Packin’ in the Hood? Examining Assumptions of Concealed-handgun Research
Social Science Quarterly
  • M.V. Hood, III, University of Georgia
  • Grant W. Neeley, University of Dayton
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2000
Abstract

We test several underlying assumptions regarding the impact of a concealed-handgun policy on violent crime rates. We posit that significant difference exist within geographic areas, and that permit holders reside in areas not prone to high levels of violent crime. We utilize aggregate-level data at the zip code level for Dallas, Texas, along with individual-level data on permit holders, a type of data which is used for the first time. We find stark differences across zip codes regarding the number of permits, sociodemographic characteristics, and violent crime rates. Permit holders are overwhelmingly white males and reside in areas with little violent crime. Those areas with high violent crime rates are the least likely to also contain a high number of residents with concealed-handgun permits. Researchers should be knowledgeable about the distribution of permits within geographic areas. This distribution is vital to properly specify empirical models.

Inclusive pages
523-537
ISBN/ISSN
0038-4941
Publisher
University of Texas Press
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Keywords
  • concealed carry,
  • gun control,
  • crime,
  • gun violence
Citation Information
M.V. Hood and Grant W. Neeley. "Packin’ in the Hood? Examining Assumptions of Concealed-handgun Research" Social Science Quarterly Vol. 81 Iss. 2 (2000)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/grant_neeley/17/