J.R.@A&M wrote: ↑Mon Jul 27, 2020 10:38 am "A new study found that states with looser concealed-carry gun laws have higher rates of gun homicide.
The results also showed that higher levels of gun ownership are associated with more mass shootings.
The study suggests the US could reduce gun violence by lowering levels of gun ownership and passing stricter concealed-carry laws. "
The researcher found a statistical association between concealed carry and gun homicide rates, as well as gun ownership and mass shootings.
The researcher (and the reporter) are then assuming (i.e., "The study suggests...") that more concealed carry and gun ownership *cause* more gun homicide and mass shootings, respectively. Hence, reducing the former will reduce the latter.
I would assume the reverse, that high rates of homicide and mass shootings cause more concealed carry and higher levels of gun ownership, respectively. So reducing the former would not reduce the latter.
The researcher is using the most readily available data, but those data miss the influence of WHO is carrying concealed and/or owning guns versus WHO is committing gun homicide and mass shootings.
Ding!! Ding!!! Ding!!
There is cause and effect, but not in the way they try to frame it. There is an uptick in crime, due to defunding and defanging, the police, as well as an uptick in gun buying due to the crime rate, and fears that there will be no police when needed.
In the winter there is an uptick in flu deaths due to people being cooped up inside with other people. There is an uptick in heating oil usage also. Heating oil usage does not cause flu deaths.