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The use of long guns for murder
1Psychology Program, Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona 08240-0195, USA.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|October 7, 1998
Summary
In 1980, states with more rural areas and a higher percentage of hunters saw greater use of long guns in murders. This highlights a correlation between rurality, hunting prevalence, and firearm use in homicides.
Area of Science:
- Criminology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Firearm use in homicides varies geographically.
- Rural areas and hunting populations may exhibit distinct patterns of firearm involvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between rurality, hunting prevalence, and the use of long guns in murders.
- To understand demographic and cultural factors influencing firearm selection in violent crime.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1980 homicide data by state.
- Correlation analysis between state-level rurality, proportion of hunters, and the relative frequency of long gun use in murders.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant positive association was found between higher rurality and increased long gun use in murders.
- States with a greater proportion of hunters also showed a higher relative frequency of long gun use in homicides.
Conclusions:
- Rural environments and a higher prevalence of hunting are associated with greater use of long guns in murders.
- These findings suggest that demographic and cultural factors, such as rural living and hunting traditions, may influence the types of firearms used in violent crimes.