The demand for protection and the persistently high rates of gun violence among young black males ☆

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Evans, William N.; Kotowski, Maciej H.
• 署名单位: National Bureau of Economic Research; University of Notre Dame; University of Notre Dame
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0047-2727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpubeco.2024.105114
• 发表日期: 2024
• 关键词: Tipping point; coordination failure; gun violence

摘要

We develop a theoretical model to explain the persistently high level of 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.