An Economic Analysis: Firearm Deaths in the United States From 1981-2014

This paper analyzes the relationship between fatal shootings and several types of legislation. The purpose of this analysis is to determine which gun laws have been more effective at minimizing gun deaths. The following types of firearm legislation were analyzed in the final regression: open carry, concealed carry with a permit, concealed carry without a permit and bans on assault weapons. Through the analysis of these gun laws, the final regression results concluded that gun laws that allow citizens to conceal their weapons, such as concealed carry with or without permit, as well as assault weapon bans typically decrease the amount of firearm deaths, whereas open carrying of firearms typically increases the amount of firearm deaths.