KERA's Think What the left and the right misunderstand about gun violence
Sep 8, 2025
Jens Ludwig, a professor at the University of Chicago and director of the crime lab, shares insights from his book on the origins of gun violence in America. He argues that both the left and right misunderstand the issue, failing to implement effective policies. Ludwig delves into how impulsive behavior often leads to gun homicides and emphasizes the importance of community engagement in curbing violence. He discusses behavioral economics as a framework to understand decision-making and advocates for innovative, tailored interventions to foster safer neighborhoods.
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Gun Violence’s Disproportionate Impact
- Gun violence is a small share of crimes but causes outsized social harm and population loss.
- Each murder reduces a city's population significantly and reshapes how people live.
Guns Plus Willingness Explain Violence
- Guns matter for violence but do not explain cross-country or within-city differences alone.
- Gun violence equals guns plus willingness to use them, so behavior matters as much as supply.
Rethinking Rational Choice Assumptions
- Both left and right assume people weigh costs and benefits before using guns.
- Ludwig argues most violent acts are impulsive, so that rational-actor view misses key drivers.
