Students, reporters, researchers, and social media influencers increasingly rely on AI chatbots to write term papers, news stories, research papers, and online content. Twenty chatbots were available in February 2024, fifteen in August 2024, thirteen in December 2025,...
Crime Prevention
Research Center
Dedicated to conducting academic quality research on the relationship between laws regulating the ownership or use of guns, crime, and public safety
Latest Research
New Research: Murders in US remain very concentrated in 2024, With the murders in worst 2% of counties remaining at their 2020 peaks
We have continued our reports on how very concentrated murders are in the United States. Our newest report is available here. Abstract The worst 1% of counties (the worst 31 counties) have 20% of the population and 41% of the murders. The worst 2% of counties (63...
The Latest Research
Get our latest research on crime sent straight to you. Find out what law enforcement and gun ownership policies will make people safer
Latest Columns
At Townhall: Why We Need the SAVE America Act
Dr. John Lott has a new op-ed at Townhall on the push for the SAVE America Act. . Democrats argue that requiring voter photo IDs—even when the ID itself is given away free—creates practical barriers that prevent eligible voters from casting ballots. “We’re all set for...
At The Federalist: Trump’s Immigration Enforcement Really Is Slashing Violent Crime
Dr. John Lott has a new op-ed piece at The Federalist. It was also linked to by Real Clear Politics, Hot Air, and ACE of Spades HQ. Two days after the piece was posted, it was still the second most read piece at The Federalist (see the bottom of the post). . Is crime...
At Real Clear Investigations: Mythbuster: U.S. Much Safer Than Many Peer Nations
Dr. John Lott has a new investigations piece at Real Clear Investigations. Also published at Zero Hedge, The Press (Brentwood, California), Times-Leader (Fairfield, MT), TippInsights, Conservative News and Views, and USSA News. . Conventional wisdom holds that the...
In Montana’s Lee Newspapers: I-194 threatens free speech for citizen groups
Dr. John Lott has an op-ed with Montana state representative Greg Overstreet in the Lee Newspapers in Montana including the Butte Montana Standard and the Ravalli Valley Ravalli Republic. Overstreet is a Montana state representative for House District 88. . You have...
At Real Clear Politics: Crossing a State Line Shouldn’t Cost You Your Right to Self-Defense
Dr. John Lott has a new op-ed at Real Clear Politics. Also published in the Journal Courier (Illinois) and Conservative News and Views. . Imagine a woman driving across state lines alone at night, fearful that her car might break down and leave her vulnerable. Or...
At Real Clear Politics: CA Lawmakers Seek To Ban Popular Handguns
Dr. John Lott has a new op-ed at Real Clear Politics. Also at YahooNews! and World Net Daily. . California’s new ban on Glock handguns takes effect on July 1. It is a new tactic for gun control advocates. Instead of trying to ban all handguns, a growing number of...
In the Toronto Sun: Canada’s crime problem worse than people realize
Dr. John Lott has a new op-ed with Canadian Professor Gary Mauser on the high violent crime rate in Canada that explains the research that we recently posted. . Canada faces a serious crime problem, but many Canadians believe crime is relatively low compared with the...
In the Australian Spectator: The shocking truth about Australian crime rates
Dr. John Lott coauthored an op-ed in Australia with an Australian federal senator, Malcolm Roberts. It was also published at Australians for Science & Freedom. . Australia faces a serious crime problem. Many Australians believe our crime rate is low compared with...
Videos
Talks
Talk at Freedomfest 2026 Why Self-defense is Critical for Public Safety
Dr. John Lott gave a talk at Freedomfest on why self-defense is critical for public safety. Here is the audio of his talk and a copy of his PowerPoint. Unfortunately, there were real technical difficulties with showing people the PowerPoint so people weren't able to...
Talk in Houston: Gun Control Myths
Dr. John Lott gave a talk in Houston on April 17th, 2026 titled "Gun Control Myths." The audio here isn't perfect,, but hopefully between the audio and the PowerPoint the main message will get across. For those interested, there is also the book....
Talk in Houston: The FBI Crime Data is a Politicized Mess
Dr. John Lott gave a talk in Houston on April 17th, 2026 titled "The FBI Crime Data is a Politicized Mess." The audio here isn't perfect,, but hopefully between the audio and the PowerPoint the main message will get across. This audio missed the first 10 minutes of...
Media Appearances
On Montana Talks, Talk Back: Discussing a wide range of crime and gun control issues
Dr. John Lott, President of the Crime Prevention Research Center, appeared on Montana Talks, Talk Back, which is now a statewide radio broadcast on over 20 stations, for an hour and a half to discuss a range of topics, including two recent U.S. Supreme Court Second...
On Cincinnati’s Giant WLW: To Discuss Supreme Court Gun Rulings and Canada’s Violent Crime Rate
Dr. John Lott appeared on 700 WLW's The Bill Cunningham Show in Cincinnati to discuss two recent U.S. Supreme Court Second Amendment decisions, explaining the ruling against Hawaii's restrictive concealed carry law and the United States v. Hemani decision limiting...
On WPHT’s The Rich Zeoli Show: To Discuss the Latest Gun Control Laws
Dr. John Lott talked to fill-in host Mary Walter on WPHT’s The Rich Zeoli Show in Philadelphia about Virginia's new law restricting AR-15-style rifles and California's law barring new sales of most Glock pistols. (Monday, June 29, 2026, from 3:30 to 3:40 PM...
All Our Posts
CPRC in the News: Boston Herald, Herald-Dispatch, Lompoc Record, Sean Hannity, The Truth about Guns, Bearing Arms, and more
Screenshot Screenshot Screenshot For years, gun-control advocates have argued that public safety depends on increasingly restrictive firearm regulations. But Americans are increasingly focused on outcomes rather than regulations. They want safer neighborhoods, less...
Major Decision: U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit Strikes Down New Jersey’s semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines bans. With Commentary. Copy of decision is available here. NJ Governor Responds to Decision.
As expected, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, in an en banc decision, has struck down New Jersey's prohibitions on semi-automatic rifles and large-capacity magazines. It is a major decision because he creates a circuit court split for the first time. The...
While Americans strongly support deporting illegal aliens who have committed crimes, they are divided on “sanctuary” states that restrict state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, though more believe “sanctuary” policies jeopardize public safety.
Voters appear to hold someone inconsistent positions on deporting illegal aliens and sanctuary policies. While voters are equally divided on "sanctuary" states stopping state and local officials from cooperating with federal immigration authorities, by a ten...

















