Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 18, 2026
09:09
Protocol for Assessing the Relative Effects of Environment and Genetics on Antler and Body Growth for a Long-lived Cervid
Published on: August 8, 2017
Guests with Guns: Public Support for "No Carry" Defaults on Private Land
Ian Ayres1, Spurthi Jonnalagadda1
1Ian Ayres, Ph.D., J.D., is the William K. Townsend Professor and Deputy Dean at Yale Law School. He received his B.A. from Yale College (1981), his J.D. (1986) from Yale Law School, and his Ph.D. in Economics (1988) from MIT. Spurthi Jonnalagadda is a law student at Yale Law School. She received her B.A. from Mount Holyoke College (2018) in South Hadley, MA.
Summary
Most Americans prefer default prohibitions on gun possession on private property, even though many are unaware of current laws. This suggests a need for clearer default rules regarding firearm carry on private land.
Area of Science:
- Social Science
- Public Policy
Background:
- Current laws in many states permit concealed weapon carry by default on private property unless explicitly prohibited.
- Public awareness and understanding of these laws, particularly regarding landowner rights and default regulations, appear limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gauge public opinion on default regulations for gun possession on private land across various contexts.
- To identify demographic factors influencing preferences for default gun carry rules.
- To highlight potential discrepancies between public preference and existing legal defaults.
Main Methods:
- A nationally representative survey of 2000 American adults was conducted.
- Respondents were queried about their preferences for default gun possession rules in different private settings (e.g., homeowners, employers, retailers, rented property, employer parking lots).
- Statistical analysis was used to examine support levels and demographic variations.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant majority of Americans favor default prohibitions on gun possession on private land without explicit landowner permission.
- This preference for "no carry" defaults was consistent across homeowners, employers, and retailers.
- Majority support was found for a default right to possess guns in rented property and on employer parking lots.
- Support for "carry" defaults was higher among Republicans, males, and gun owners, but majoritarian rejection of "no carry" defaults did not vary significantly by region or state.
- Respondents reported widespread ignorance or misinformation about existing gun carry laws.
Conclusions:
- The survey indicates a public preference for default rules that prohibit gun possession on private land, contrasting with "carry" default laws in some states.
- Significant public misunderstanding of current laws may hinder landowners' ability to manage firearm possession on their property.
- Policy discussions regarding default gun possession rules should consider the broad public support for "no carry" defaults in many private contexts.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:50Threats to Biodiversity
There have been five major extinction events throughout geological history, resulting in the elimination of biodiversity, followed by a rebound of species that adapted to the new conditions. In the current geological epoch, the Holocene, there is a sixth extinction event in progress. This mass extinction has been attributed to human activities and is thus provisionally called the Anthropocene. In 2019 the human population reached 7.7 billion people and is projected to comprise 10 billion by...
02:22The Colonization of Land
Changes in the environment of the early Earth drove the evolution of organisms. As prokaryotic organisms in the oceans began to photosynthesize, they produced oxygen. Eventually, oxygen saturated the oceans and entered the air, resulting in an increase in atmospheric oxygen concentration, known as the oxygen revolution approximately 2.3 billion years ago. Therefore, organisms that could use oxygen for cellular respiration had an advantage. More than 1.5 years ago, eukaryotic cells and...
02:26Defenses Against Pathogens and Herbivores
Plants present a rich source of nutrients for many organisms, making it a target for herbivores and infectious agents. Plants, though lacking a proper immune system, have developed an array of constitutive and inducible defenses to fend off these attacks.
01:13Torts II
Intentional torts in healthcare refer to deliberate actions that cause harm or infringe on the rights of others. Understanding these torts is crucial for healthcare professionals to avoid legal liabilities and maintain ethical standards in patient care.
01:26Torts III
Types of Quasi-intentional Torts in Healthcare
Quasi-intentional torts in healthcare involve acts where intent is not directed to harm an individual but results in harm due to careless or reckless speech.
Quasi-intentional torts in healthcare involve acts where intent is not directed to harm an individual but results in harm due to careless or reckless speech.
01:16Self-Locking Screw
A square-threaded screw jack is a mechanical device widely used for lifting heavy loads or applying considerable force. One of the key features that can make a screw jack more effective and reliable is its self-locking capability.
A square-threaded screw jack carrying a load is considered self-locking if the screw retains its position even after the moment applied to it is removed.
A square-threaded screw jack carrying a load is considered self-locking if the screw retains its position even after the moment applied to it is removed.