Citation

Edwards G, Nesson E, Robinson JJ, Vars F. Econ. J. 2018; 128(616): 3117-3140.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Royal Economic Society, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1111/ecoj.12567

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

We exploit within-state variation across time in both the existence and length of statutory delays - both explicit wait periods and delays created by licensing requirements - between the purchase and delivery of a firearm to examine the effect of purchase delays on homicides and suicides. We find that the existence of a purchase delay reduces firearm-related suicides by between 2% and 5% with no statistically significant increase in non-firearm suicides. Purchase delays are not associated with statistically significant changes in homicide rates.

Language: en