Examining a Hypothesized Causal Chain for the Effects of the 2007 Repeal of the Permit-to-Purchase Licensing Law in Missouri: Homicide Guns Recovered in State and within a Year of Purchase

This study examines two measures: (1) proportion of guns recovered and purchased in-state and (2) time between firearm purchase and recovery by police following criminal use. The repeal was associated from 2008 to 2019 with a 0.05 increase in the proportion own-state gun tra ce (p <  0.0001, 95% confidence interval: 0.08,0.13) and a 0.10 increase in the proportion of guns recovered prior to 1 year after purchase (p = 0.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.20, 1.90). Our study provides supportive evidence for the repeal increasing firearm-related homicides.
Source: Journal of Urban Health - Category: Health Management Source Type: research