People I (Mostly) Admire 20. John Donohue: “I'm Frequently Called a Treasonous Enemy of the Constitution.”
Mar 20, 2021
John Donohue, a Stanford law professor and economist, dives into heated debates on pivotal topics like guns, the death penalty, and their notorious research on abortion's link to crime rates. He discusses the complexities of concealed carry laws and their often misunderstood effects on crime. The conversation also tackles the challenges of proving truths in social sciences, the perplexities of gun control, and the financial burdens of capital punishment. Donohue reflects on identity and public perception, shedding light on the fierce backlash from academia surrounding his controversial theories.
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The More Guns, Less Crime Debate
- John Lott's influential 1997 study claimed that right-to-carry laws significantly decreased crime.
- This study fueled the NRA's advocacy for expanding gun rights, despite methodological flaws.
Crack Cocaine's Impact on the Gun Debate
- Donohue and Ayres challenged Lott's findings, arguing that the crack cocaine epidemic skewed the data.
- States with right-to-carry laws were less affected by crack, creating a spurious correlation.
Donohue's Stance on Guns
- Donohue receives criticism and is labeled anti-gun for his research.
- He has experience with guns, but isn't a fan, noting most gun problems aren't from hunters or target shooters.