NCJ Number
186383
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2000 Pages: 351-370
Editor(s)
Kent B. Joscelyn
Date Published
2000
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Choices of potential victims and criminals with respect to weapons were analyzed in an economic game framework in which the focus was on decisions about the use of guns for attack and for defense and about the use of weapons other than guns.
Abstract
The study used national data on crime and victimization to assess weapon choices between 1979 and 1987 and in 1991. Data from the National Crime Victimization Study showed crime victims who had and used guns had both lower losses and injury rates from violent crimes. It was also found the victim's choice of having a gun was not independent of the criminal's choice. Based on these findings, consequences of having a greater portion of potential victims being armed were analyzed. Results showed this would reduce both losses and injuries from crime, as well as a criminal's incentive to commit violent crimes and to be armed. Women were less likely to have guns than men. 32 references, 10 tables, and 2 figures