The Demand For Protection and the Persistently High Rates of Gun Violence Among Young Black Males

William Evans and Maciej Kotowski

No 29969, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: We develop a theoretical model to explain both the high level and persistence in gun violence for black males ages 15–24 consistent with the empirical literature. A person may carry a gun for instrumental (i.e., criminal) reasons or for its perceived protective benefit. Discerning underlying motives is difficult. A shock to the instrumental benefit can move the equilibrium to one with a high gun prevalence. The model demonstrates that there are larger returns to reducing the value of guns for crime than trying to reduce their protective benefit, suggesting different policy paths to combat the problem of gun violence.

JEL-codes: C7 C72 K4 K42 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022-04
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ure
Note: LE PE
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Published as William N. Evans & Maciej H. Kotowski, 2024. "The demand for protection and the persistently high rates of gun violence among young black males," Journal of Public Economics, vol 234.

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Journal Article: The demand for protection and the persistently high rates of gun violence among young black males (2024)
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