Q. How many additional homicides and suicides do you attribute to the effects of repealing this law?

A. It shows the new norm in Missouri, which is a higher level of gun violence. It’s an increase of roughly 50 homicides a year because of the change and 60 additional suicides a year. That’s a lot of death. This was all done in the name of freedom. Now, I think the decision is rather stark: Is it worth over 100 deaths a year… to give gun owners and sellers more convenience in making their transactions?

Q. So, making it easier to obtain guns results in a more dangerous environment?

A. That’s the takeaway here. The findings were very highly significant. They were highly consistent. I think we’ve learned something from this. It makes our decisions more clear. It is more convenient to buy and trade guns in Missouri, but it has come with a heavy price.

Q. Is there a message here for other states possibly considering a similar change in law?