Impacts of Enhanced Penalties for Crimes With Deadly Weapons

• NCJ Number: 139461
• Author(s): T B Marvell; C E Moody Jr
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 31 pages
• Grant Number(s): 88-IJ-CX-0045
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Legislation/Policy Analysis

Annotation

A frequent legislative response to the gun problem is to mandate greater prison terms for crimes committed with a deadly weapon; the issue is whether such laws have any effect on crime rates and prison populations.

Abstract

Research concerning initial effects, such as the use of guns in crimes, is hindered by conceptual and measurement problems. To overcome these problems, the current research used a pooled time series-cross section design with data for each State during the 1970's and 1980's. Variables included felonies committed with a deadly weapon, prison factors (admissions, population, and departures), and crime rates. Analysis findings show great differences between States, but an overall tendency for weapon laws to result in longer prison stays and in fewer murders and property crimes. In general, the effect of enhanced penalties for crimes committed with a deadly weapon is small in relation to average yearly changes in prison and crime variables. Further research is suggested to evaluate the differing effect of various State laws. 25 references and 7 tables