Media coverage and firearm acquisition in the aftermath of a mass shooting

Mathematics Ties Media Coverage of Gun Control to Upticks in Gun Purchases

For the first time, researchers have shown a causal link between print news media coverage of U.S. gun control policy in the wake of mass shooting events and increases in firearm acquisition, particularly in states with the least restrictive gun laws.

The results of a study led by researchers at NYU Tandon School of Engineering, in collaboration with faculty at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and Northeastern University, are rooted in a data-driven approach that reveals causal relationships, rather than mere correlations. It is the first study to quantify the influence of news media stories on firearm prevalence.

Increases in firearm purchases following mass shootings are well-observed phenomena, likely driven by concerns that these events could lead to more restrictive gun controls. Lead author Maurizio Porfiri, NYU Tandon professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, noted that this is the first study to empirically examine — and confirm — the link between news stories specifically about gun policy and increased acquisition of firearms. However, in one surprising finding, the analysis revealed no causal link between an actual mass shooting and gun purchases. Previous studies had noted a correlation between the two.

Something interesting to go along with that:

"There's an absence of fear-based buying...based on fear of regulation," said American Outdoor Brands' CEO James Debney on the company's fourth-quarter earnings call this week. "We don't see any of that right now."

American Outdoor, which owns Smith & Wesson, shipped around 820,000 fewer handguns and long guns in the year to April 2018, compared to the previous fiscal year when consumers feared Hillary Clinton would be elected president. The company's handgun revenues plunged by more than $230 million or 41% in the year to April 2018, and its sales of long guns halved to about $90 million, as fears of more stringent gun control evaporated.

https://markets.businessinsider.com/new ... 1028299675

In California we've seen a bit of a run on ammo due to new regulations beginning July 1. The fears are over blown, but some folks are "stocking up" to avoid the $1 per transaction fee and the point of purchase back ground check. Some folks fear that they will not be able to buy ammo in a caliber for which they have no weapon registered with the CA DOJ. That is false. What is required is that the buyer be added to the AFS (Automated Firearms System) in CA which checks for felonies. If the person is not in the system, $19 and three to ten days is the cost to get in there. Then can buy ammo.

CDFingers

We've heard it said that Obama was the greatest gun salesman ever. Background checks are not totally definitive, a percentage of people who get a background check change their mind and don't buy the gun and a certain percentage don't pass the background check. So are the media going to stop talking about gun control - never.

I'm not surprised.

I wouldn't be surprised to find out that after a reported airline crash ticket sales experience a drop and cancellations rise.

Thinking about it, this is a "water is wet" report isn't it? Media reports have an affect on society? Yes, like since forever. Am I missing something here?