Stephen Billings, an associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, receives the inaugural Greenwald Family Award for his groundbreaking research linking concealed carry permits to increased gun violence. His study, published in June 2023, reveals that a rise in legally carried firearms in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, correlates with a 5.3% increase in local crime rates, challenging the prevailing narrative that more guns lead to greater safety.
Billings’ findings underscore the complexities of gun ownership, indicating that permit holders are not necessarily safer from crime and often experience higher rates of stolen firearms, which can then be used in violent incidents. His research aims to inform policy discussions around secure firearm storage, emphasizing the need for responsible ownership practices. This study not only adds depth to the ongoing debate over gun rights but also seeks to understand the real-world implications of legal gun ownership.
Read full story at www.colorado.edu
