Firearm Availability and Violent Death: The Need for a Culture Change in Attitudes toward Guns

Abstract

There are two conflicting positions toward gun ownership in the United States. Proponents of stricter gun control argue that guns are responsible for 32,000 gun‐related deaths each year and that the introduction of stricter gun control laws would reduce this death toll. Gun rights advocates argue that the general availability of guns reduces homicide rates, due to deterrence and because guns are effective means of self‐defense. Based on a review of the evidence, I draw the following conclusions: Gun prevalence is positively related to homicide rates. There is no evidence for a protective effect of gun ownership. In fact, gun owners have a greater likelihood of being murdered. Furthermore, gun ownership is associated with an increased risk of serious injuries, accidental death, and death from suicide. The evidence on the effectiveness of gun control measures has not been encouraging, partly because the influential gun lobby has successfully prevented the introduction of more effective measures. A federal registration system for all firearms would address many limitations of present gun control measures. To mobilize public opinion, a culture change in attitudes toward firearms is needed.

Emerging Political Identities? Gun Ownership and Voting in Presidential Elections*

“…The argument focuses attention on, as Kahan (1999) aptly noted, what guns do. Predictably, significant research efforts probe the effects of gun laws and regulations on criminal activity and violence (Dube, Dube, and García-Ponce, 2013;Duggan, 2001;Ludwig and Cook, 2000;Stroebe, 2015). Intermittent mass shootings and terrorist events undoubtedly fuel the debate and serve as catalysts to sort out the causal links between gun availability and gun violence (Joslyn and Haider-Markel, 2012).…”

“…The political debate about guns tends to center on who can legitimately purchase and own guns and whether gun availability influences crime, including mass shootings. Supporters of gun control assert that widespread availability threatens public safety, increases violent crime (Duggan, 2001) and homicide (Stroebe, 2015), increases suicides (Dahlberg, Ikeda, and Kresnow, 2004;Stroebe, 2015), and leads to higher rates of accidental shootings (Dahlberg, Ikeda, and Kresnow, 2004;Stroebe, 2015). Gun rights supporters respond that gun ownership boosts public safety, enabling citizens to protect themselves against potential violence (Lampo, 2000;Lott, 2013).…”

Public Risk Perceptions of Handgun Use in the United States

“…Notable mass shootings such as the Columbine High School shooting, the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and more recently, the Orlando nightclub shooting have placed this issue at the top of political agendas. Advocates for more stringent firearm legislation suggest that banning military-style assault weapons and implementing more rigorous background checks will reduce the annual number of firearm-related deaths and injuries (Celinska, 2007;Stroebe, 2015). Conversely, opponents of stricter gun laws argue that such efforts infringe upon their second amendment right and will do little to reduce the actual number of firearm-related fatalities (Celinska, 2007).…”

“…Conversely, opponents of stricter gun laws argue that such efforts infringe upon their second amendment right and will do little to reduce the actual number of firearm-related fatalities (Celinska, 2007). These individuals further suggest that firearms are used for self-defense and limiting access to firearms for law-abiding citizens will endanger public safety (Celinska, 2007;Stroebe, 2015).…”

Motivated Innumeracy: Estimating the Size of the Gun Owner Population and Its Consequences for Opposition to Gun Restrictions

“…First, comparatively little is known about gun owners. Academic studies largely examine guns and violence, or the guns and crime connection (Duggan ; Lott ; Siegel, Ross, and King ; Stroebe ). A much smaller number of studies examine the characteristics of gun owners (see e.g., Kalesan et al ).…”