Gun Laws and Gun Deaths: An Empirical Analysis and Theological Assessment

Abstract

The current state of gun violence in the United States involves an uneven distribution of firearms’ lethal violence that undermines the common good by creating intolerable risks of gun death for certain communities and certain people. Building on Catholic commitments to the dignity of every human life and the importance of solidarity as a counterbalance to structural sin, this article explains how Catholics can respond to this problematic status quo in a fashion that aligns with their faith convictions. The article draws on empirical data about the correlations between firearm availability and firearm mortality rates both internationally and within the United States to lay the foundation for a more nuanced evaluation of gun control laws, consistent with the expectation that Catholics will engage political life thoughtfully and with prudential judgment.