Analysis of Evidence for the Effects of Gun Policies on Outcomes

Interesting Rand study,
with an objective review of existing policies, associated researc, and facts supporting gun control policies from both a very pro-2nd Amendment perspective and a very pro-gun control Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence perspective.

To quote: "disagreements between experts favoring the policy positions of the National Rifle Association and those favoring the positions of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence do not stem from different views about the objectives that gun policies should aim to achieve. Instead, experts disagree about what the true effects of different gun policies will be. Both groups prefer policies that they believe will reduce gun violence, but one believes that eliminating gun-free zones, for instance, will accomplish this objective, while the other believes that such a policy would have the opposite effect. This is a disagreement about facts, not about values or objectives."

Our RallyPoint membership views similarly reflect this "disagreement about facts." Though some would believe policies should just reflect "common sense", many of us disagree on what "common sense" is.

The Rand Project Lead, Andrew Morall, concludes with:
"we hope to begin to build consensus around a shared set of facts about gun policy by demonstrating where scientific evidence is accumulating, developing new estimates and resources for use by other researchers, and highlighting areas where investment in research by the U.S. government, foundations, and philanthropists could produce more and better information and make important contributions to establishing fair and effective gun policies in the United States."