The Economics of Firearm Markets, Crime, and Gun Violence
The Economics of Firearm Markets, Crime, and Gun Violence supports researchers' conference participation to deepen understanding of firearm markets, gun-related crime, gun violence, and public policy effects.
Funder: National Bureau of Economic Research
Due Dates: October 28, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET (Paper submission) | February 6, 2027 (Conference)
Funding Amounts: Travel costs covered for two authors per paper, subject to NBER travel reimbursement regulations
Summary: Supports conference participation for researchers studying firearm markets, gun violence, gun-related crime, and the effects of public policies.
Key Information: Papers must not be published or accepted for publication, and presented research may not make policy recommendations.
Description
The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), with support from Arnold Ventures, will convene a research conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to deepen understanding of the determinants of gun violence and gun-related crime and the effects of public policies. The meeting welcomes empirical and theoretical research drawing on industrial organization, labor, law and economics, health, and public finance.
Topics of interest include the social costs of gun violence; effects of regulations, taxes, and insurance rules on firearm markets and gun use; law enforcement and social programs; sources of firearms used in crime and suicide; firearm manufacturing and trade; and markets for less lethal alternatives. The organizers also seek research on gun-violence dynamics associated with crack cocaine, opioid use, and COVID. Completed papers and work in progress suitable for a short paper session are welcome.
