Homicide and Gun Control: The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act and Homicide Rates

Monroe investigates the success of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act at reducing homicide. Using data from the 1989 - 1997 Uniform Crime Reports: Supplemental Homicide Reports, Monroe conducts differences-in-differences-in-differences (DDD) analyses. Monroe's results indicate that Brady had no effect on overall adult homicide rates and caused a statistically insignificant decline in adult handgun homicide rates. Contrary to an anticipated substitution effect - wherein the use of long guns in homicide would increase as handguns became more difficult to acquire -Brady's implementation is significantly related to a decrease in the use of rifles, shotguns and other non-handgun firearms to commit homicide.