Dr. Jie Xu, an Assistant Professor in Division of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, recently published in Criminology and Public Policy, the highest-ranking journal in criminal justice. This is the first time that a St John’s University faculty publication has appeared in the prestigious journal.
The research article titled “Licensed firearm dealers, legal compliance, and local homicide: A case study” found evidence that, in disadvantaged neighborhoods, gun shootings tend to occur closer to firearm dealers and proximity to noncompliant dealers specifically elevates the risk of lethal violence. The study, aligns with President Joe Biden’s recent major gun violence prevention policies and points to a clear need for more robust policies that hold noncompliant firearm dealers accountable. The research details how a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local agencies to regulate firearm dealers and ensure that legal compliance can be instrumental in reducing gun violence.