Mass Shootings, Community Mobility, and the Relocation of Economic Activity

TL;DR

This study analyzes how mass shootings in the U.S. cause shifts in community mobility and economic activity, revealing displacement patterns and potential welfare impacts.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the spatial-temporal effects of mass shootings on community movement and economic relocation using extensive foot traffic data.

Findings

Decreased visits near shooting sites

Increased visits at farther POIs

Greater impact with stronger trauma responses

Abstract

Using foot traffic data for over 150,000 points of interest (POIs) near the sites of 42 mass shootings (2018-2022, U.S.), we evaluate the spatial-temporal impact of the tragic events on community mobility and relocation of economic activities. Visits to nearby POIs decrease, while farther away POIs experience increased foot traffic, implying that communities shift their activities away from the shooting sites. The impact is stronger when stronger trauma responses are expected. Our results suggest that mass shootings drive significant displacements of economic activities and can lead to welfare losses due to distortions in optimal choices of time and location.