Brian Jacob, director of the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, and researchers from the University of Maryland investigated the correlation between gun shows and gun-related deaths. Their research showed no evidence that gun shows lead to substantial increases in either gun-related homicides or suicides. The study also shows that tighter regulation of gun shows does not appear to reduce the number of firearms-related deaths. Jacob states, "We believe that this analysis makes an important contribution to understanding the influence of gun shows, the regulation of which is arguably the most active area of federal, state, and local firearms policy."