NEW LOYOLA STUDY CONCLUDES PRISON SENTENCES FOR GUN CHARGES DON’T IMPROVE SAFETY

Researchers at Loyola University Chicago just wrapped up a two-year study into whether stricter gun possession laws in Illinois help fix the problem. The answer might surprise you.

Olson and a team of researchers found that nearly two thirds of convictions in Illinois for gun crimes are for simple possession of a firearm, not for actually shooting or wounding someone.

Researchers found many people imprisoned for possessing a gun claimed to have it for self-defense, and the vast majority of those sentenced for firearm possession were not arrested for violent crimes during the three-year period they were tracked following their release.

Olson said sending this group to prison really doesn’t gain any public safety benefit — and it comes at a huge cost to taxpayers.