In states where data was available both before and after passage of right-to-carry laws, the average death rate from mass public shootings plummeted by 69%. In states which passed such laws during the time period studied, the number of such shootings dropped by 84%, and the rate of mass public shootings approaches zero five years after right-to-carry laws are enacted. Deaths in these states, from these types of incidents, dropped an average of 90% and injuries by 82%. - 1998, Drs. Joanne D. Eisen, DDS, President of the Association of Dentists for Accuracy in Scientific Media & Paul Gallant, ophthalmologist, Chairman of the Committee for Law-Abiding Gun-Owners, Rockland, from Lott's study.
In an April 1999 working paper entitled "Multiple Victim Public Shootings, Bombings and Right-to-Carry Concealed Handgun laws," Dr. John Lott and colleague Dr. William Landes explored the phenomenon of mass public shootings in relation to the absence or presence of restrictive concealed handgun laws, enacted at the state level. Between 1977 and 1995, Lott and Landes found that 15 shootings took place in schools located in states with restrictive firearm laws, resulting in a total of 19 deaths and 97 injuries. In contrast, only one shooting took place in a state where ordinary citizens had easy legal access to firearms, including concealed handguns. The result: one death and two injuries. The difference was the factor of deterrence, brought about by armed, law-abiding citizens and the possibility that would-be perpetrators might just run into one of these, instead of unarmed, defenseless victims. From Drs. Lott & Landes: "…these incidents [public school shootings] raise questions about the unintentional consequences of laws… The possibility exists that attempts to outlaw guns from schools, no matter how well meaning, may have produced reverse effects." - Drs. Paul gallant & Joanne Eisen, G&A, 7/2000