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Firearm Ownership, Defensive Gun Usage, and Support for Gun Control: Does Knowledge Matter?
Nathan E Kruis1, Richard L Wentling2, Tyler S Frye1
1Department of Criminal Justice, Penn State Altoona, 3000 Ivyside Park, Cypress Building, Room 101E, Altoona, PA 16601 USA.
American Journal of Criminal Justice : AJCJ
|October 5, 2021
Summary
Pennsylvania gun owners largely support safety measures like background checks and mental health screenings but oppose firearm bans. Knowledge about firearms correlates with less support for strict gun control policies.
Area of Science:
- Social Sciences
- Public Health
- Criminology
Background:
- Recent gun violence incidents fuel debate on firearm access and gun control.
- Discussions involve balancing public safety with constitutional rights and self-defense needs.
- Understanding gun owner characteristics and public perception is crucial for policy development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the characteristics of gun owners in Pennsylvania.
- To assess public perceptions regarding different gun control measures.
- To explore the relationship between gun knowledge and support for gun control.
Main Methods:
- Survey of gun owners in Pennsylvania.
- Analysis of participant demographics, firearm training, and safety practices.
- Evaluation of public opinion on background checks, mental health screenings, and firearm bans.
Main Results:
- Most surveyed gun owners have received firearm training and practice safety precautions.
- One in four gun owners has used a firearm for self-defense.
- Support exists for background checks, mental health screenings, and gun education, but not for complete firearm bans.
Conclusions:
- Pennsylvania gun owners generally favor targeted gun safety regulations over outright bans.
- Individuals with greater knowledge of firearms and gun laws show less support for restrictive policies.
- Findings suggest a need for nuanced gun control strategies informed by owner characteristics and public opinion.
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