Duke Researchers Express Skepticism About Obama Gun Control Changes

posted on January 15, 2016

The Duke Chronicle, Duke University’s newspaper, released an article yesterday supporting gun owners’ claims that President Barack Obama’s executive actions won’t impact violent crime rates.

Obama’s executive actions are “unlikely to produce dramatic change, experts at Duke say,” the authors claim, citing research by Philip Cook, ITT/Terry Sanford professor of public policy. Based on Cook’s research, the measures were unlikely to decrease robberies or assaults because most violent criminals get their firearms from family members or gangs—and during CNN’s “Guns in America” town hall, even Anderson Cooper acknowledged that background checks wouldn’t be effective against these transactions. 

The authors also point out that prosecution of existing gun laws has decreased during Obama’s presidency, saying it’s unknown whether the actions will be “accompanied by increased prosecutions of criminals violating gun laws.” Taken together, these claims support what we’ve been saying all along—that these actions were solely intended to curb gun ownership by law-abiding Americans.

Latest

Beretta “Rinascimento”
Beretta “Rinascimento”

The Extraordinary Berettas Of The NRA Museums

This set of five of the finest shotguns ever commissioned by the centuries-old firm has been exhibited in several locations, with a last stop at the NRA museum before returning to Italy.

The Armed Citizen® April 5, 2025

True stories of the right to keep and bear arms

Trump’s DOJ Just Surprised Anti-Gun States

Thousands of Californians remain stuck in limbo, waiting for their government to recognize and uphold their constitutional rights.

Gun Skills | Reloading 4: Load Refinement

If you are not satisfied with the cartridges you are handloading, there are plenty of avenues for improvement.

Gun Review | Lipsey’s Ruger SP101

The size, configuration and versatility of this gun makes it a fine choice for self-defense.



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.