--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a clear consensus among…" description: "\"“There is a clear consensus among economists about self-defense, gun-free zones, firearms and suicide, and concealed handgun laws. Among North American..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/john-r-lott-jr-9603_amendment_there-is-a-clear-consensus-among-economi_2559212.png" --- # There is a clear consensus among economists about… ![“There is a clear consensus among economists about self-defense, gun-free zones, firearms and suicide, and concealed handgun laws. Among North American economists: •​Eighty-eight percent say that guns are more frequently “used in self-defense than they are used in the commission of crime.”…” quote by John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/john-r-lott-jr-9603_amendment_there-is-a-clear-consensus-among-economi_2559212.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/john-r-lott-jr-9603_amendment_there-is-a-clear-consensus-among-economi_2559212.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/22d/john-r-lott-jr-9603_amendment_there-is-a-clear-consensus-among-economi_2559212.png) > ““There is a clear consensus among economists about self-defense, gun-free zones, firearms and suicide, and concealed handgun laws. Among North American economists: •​Eighty-eight percent say that guns are more frequently “used in self-defense than they are used in the commission of crime.” •​Ninety-one percent believe that gun-free zones are “more likely to attract criminals than they are to deter them.” •​Seventy-two percent do not agree that “a gun in the home causes an increase in the risk of suicide.” •​Ninety-one percent say that “concealed handgun permit holders are much more law-abiding than the typical American.” •​Eighty-one percent say that permitted concealed handguns lower the murder rate.”” [John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-lott-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Economists largely agree that guns are used more for self‑defense, that gun‑free zones attract crime, that household guns don’t raise suicide risk, that concealed‑carry holders are law‑abiding, and that concealed carry reduces murders. **In simple terms:** Economists see guns as more defensive than criminal and think concealed carry helps safety. Key Takeaway Consider the data when debating gun policy. Themes gun policy economics public safety crime prevention Mood analytical concerned Type informative policy‑oriented When to use this quote - legislative hearings - media commentary - academic research - public debates Key Concepts self‑defense statistical consensus risk perception Questions to Reflect On - How do these findings align with your community’s experience? - What policies could reconcile safety with rights? A Different Perspective Surveys reflect expert opinion but may not capture all real‑world complexities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amendment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amendment/) [Concealed Handgun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concealed-handgun-734048/) [Concealed Handguns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concealed-handguns-734047/) [Gun laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gun-laws/) [Guns Frequently](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guns-frequently-1589067/) [Handgun Laws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/handgun-laws-1589068/) [Zones Firearms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/zones-firearms-1589069/) ## Related quotes > [“Without question, most researchers believe that guns are used more often in self-defense than in the commission of a crime. They also believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-lott-jr/without-question-most-researchers-believe-that-guns-are-used-more/) [John R. 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Lott Jr > [“For all the emphasis on assault weapons, 68 percent of mass public shootings did not involve any long guns (Figure 2). Eighty-four percent of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-lott-jr/for-all-the-emphasis-on-assault-weapons-68-percent-of-mass-public/) [John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-lott-jr/) > [“As to the “super destructive .50-caliber sniper rifle,” not only does the New York Times editorial get the law wrong, but it somehow neglects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-lott-jr/as-to-the-super-destructive-50-caliber-sniper-rifle-not-only-does-the/) [John R. Lott Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-r-lott-jr/) > [“There is another real cost to linking gun violence with mental illness. Dr. Renee Binder, President of the American Psychiatric Association and herself a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-r-lott-jr/there-is-another-real-cost-to-linking-gun-violence-with-mental/) [John R. 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