Publications [#266596] of Philip J. Cook

Journal Articles

1. Ludwig, J; Cook, PJ, The Benefits of Reducing Gun Violence: Evidence from Contingent-Valuation Survey Data, Journal of Risk and Uncertainty, vol. 22 no. 3 (January, 2001), pp. 207-226 [doi]
   (last updated on 2024/04/19)

   Abstract:
   This article presents an estimate of the benefits of reducing crime using the contingent-valuation (CV) method. We focus on gun violence, a crime of growing policy concern in America. Our data come from a national survey in which we ask respondents referendum-type questions that elicit their willingness-to-pay (WTP) to reduce gun violence by 30%. We estimate that the public's WTP to reduce gun assaults by 30% equals $24.5 billion, or around $1.2 million per injury. Our estimate implies a statistical value of life that is quite consistent with those derived from other methods.