Amendment Quote by John R. Lott Jr
““Economists overwhelmingly believe that gun ownership does not increase the risk of suicide, whereas criminologists are very equally divided. Both economists and criminologists say that concealed permit holders are “much more law-abiding than the typical American,” but again, criminologists are much more divided.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Gun Control and the Constitution, 2010
Economists and criminologists disagree on the link between gun ownership and suicide, yet both see concealed carriers as more law‑abiding.
In simple terms: Experts are divided on gun‑suicide risk, but agree concealed carriers are generally law‑abiding.
Key Takeaway
Consider nuanced evidence before forming policy.
Themes
policy debate
public health
research disagreement
Mood
analytical
cautious
Type
academic
informative
When to use this quote
- legislative hearings
- public health campaigns
- academic conferences
Key Concepts
statistical analysis
risk assessment
law enforcement
Questions to Reflect On
- What data would resolve this divide?
- How do cultural attitudes affect interpretation?
A Different Perspective
Complexity may be oversimplified in public discourse.
![“Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard wrote in the New York Times in 2013, “[T]here is a wide consensus that our 1996 reforms not only reduced the gun-related homicide rate, but also the suicide rate. The Australian Institute of Criminology found that gun-related murders and suicides fell…” quote by John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b67/john-r-lott-jr-9603_gun-ownership_former-prime-minister-of-australia-john_700905.jpg)
