The Economics of Firearm Markets, Crime, and Gun Violence
The National Bureau of Economic Research supports economic research on firearm markets, crime, and gun violence for presentation at a dedicated conference.
Funder: National Bureau of Economic Research
Due Dates: October 28, 2026 (Paper submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Travel costs for up to two authors per accepted paper; no direct research grant.
Summary: Supports economic research on firearm markets, crime, and gun violence for presentation at an NBER conference.
Key Information: Submissions welcome from non-NBER affiliates and early-career researchers.
Description
This program, led by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) and supported by Arnold Ventures, seeks to advance research on the economics of firearm markets, crime, and gun violence in the United States. The initiative aims to foster innovative economic research that examines the determinants, consequences, and policy implications of gun violence, with a focus on both empirical and theoretical work. Selected papers will be presented at a conference scheduled for February 6, 2027, in Cambridge, MA.
The conference welcomes work spanning various sub-fields of economics—including industrial organization, labor, law and economics, health, and public finance—on topics such as:
- Social costs of gun violence (violent crime, suicide, mass shootings, etc.)
- Effects of regulations, taxes, and insurance on firearm markets and gun-related outcomes
- Role of law enforcement and social programs in gun violence prevention
- Sources and supply dynamics of firearms used in crime and suicide
- Market dynamics and the development of less-lethal alternatives
Both completed papers and works in progress (suitable for short paper sessions) may be submitted.
