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State Legislation to Reduce Firearm Homicide: A Roadmap for Policymakers

17 states require gun relinquishment for people under domestic violence restraining orders. If all 50 states did 120 lives would be saved every year. 9 states have "may issue" laws that give authorities some (vs. none) discretion in issuing concealed carry permits. If all 50 states did 885 lives would be saved.

States with universal background checks, may issue, and violent misdemeanor laws experienced 36.1% lower homicide rates.

While the public mass shootings in Newtown, Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas, Sutherland Springs, Pittsburgh, and Parkland have brought the issue of firearm violence to the forefront, less than one percent of all firearm-related homicides are due to mass shootings. A set of laws that will have the greatest impact in reducing firearm homicide across the board, not just mass shootings, needs to be identified and implemented.

Michael Siegel and Claire Boine highlight the types of firearm laws and identify those that are most likely to be effective. 

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