2013/01/01 by Cheng Cheng, Mark Hoekstra
Social Sciences · Psychology · #Gun Ownership and Violence Research #Crime Patterns and Interventions #Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
paper · doi:10.3368/jhr.48.3.821
Abstract From 2000 to 2010, more than 20 states passed so-called “Castle Doctrine” or “stand your ground” laws. These laws expand the legal justification for the use of lethal force in self-defense, thereby lowering the expected cost of using lethal force and increasing the expected cost of committing violent crime. This paper exploits the within-state variation in self-defense law to examine their effect on homicides and violent crime. Results indicate the laws do not deter burglary, robbery, or aggravated assault. In contrast, they lead to a statistically significant 8 percent net increase in the number of reported murders and nonnegligent manslaughters.