Variation in State-Level Response to School Shootings

Abstract

Historically, public demand for gun control in the U.S. spikes after a mass shooting, only to wane in the proceeding months. One consequence has been limited or no changes to existing gun safety laws in many states following a tragedy. This changed in 2018 following the shooting in Parkland, Florida. Public support for gun control legislation following this event did not wane as normal, and 26 states and DC reacted with the passage of stiffer gun control policies. What explains the varying state-level respond to this and other school shooting in the U.S.? In exploring this question, the chapter examines the influence of state-level factors on gun control legislation by exploring the extent of gun control legislation by state for the years 2012 through 2018. Pooled cross-sectional time series data that controls for variation between states and over time is used.