Are we thinking about gun violence all wrong?

“Ludwig thinks more deeply about the causes of American gun violence than anyone, and his policy solutions have been proven to work. Unforgiving Places is the best book on American violence I’ve ever read.”

– Steven Levitt, coauthor of Freakonomics

In 2007, Jens moved to the South Side of Chicago to research two big questions: Why does gun violence happen, and is there anything we can do about it? Almost two decades later, the answers aren’t what he expected.

Challenging the popular narrative that shootings are the calculated acts of malicious or desperate people, Unforgiving Places shows how most shootings actually grow out of a more fleeting source: interpersonal conflict, especially arguments. By examining why some arguments turn tragic while others don’t, we come to understand gun violence to be more circumstantial than our traditional approaches lead us to believe.

From this insight, Jens argues – compellingly – that our lack of progress in reducing gun violence ultimately stems from our having misunderstood the nature of the problem, and contends that behavioral science gives us a new way to understand – and solve – gun violence in America.

We invite you to get a first look at Unforgiving Places

• Next week, on February 19th, join us as Jens gives a book talk at Chicago Booth’s Think Better Speaker Series, which will include a discussion of the book and an audience Q&A. Register to attend in person or virtually.
• Ludwig recently sat down with Jerusalem Demsas for The Atlantic’s Good on Paper podcast to discuss the book. Listen to their conversation.
• There will be several book events in cities across the country this spring. See if there are events in your area

Learn more and pre-order the book