Willingness to shoot: Public attitudes toward defensive gun use

A survey of 539 residents of Cincinnati is used to examine the willingness to use guns in self-defense against crime. Support for using deadly force against lawbreakers is largely contingent upon the threat of physical harm. In contrast to previous research, firearm owners and non-owners do not diff...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Cao, Liqun (Author)
Contributors: Cullen, Francis T. ; Barton, Shannon M. ; Blevins, Kristie R.
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2002
In: American journal of criminal justice
Year: 2002, Volume: 27, Issue: 1, Pages: 85-109
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Keywords:
Collective Security
Deadly Force
Crime Trend
Crime Victim
Criminal Justice
Description
Summary:A survey of 539 residents of Cincinnati is used to examine the willingness to use guns in self-defense against crime. Support for using deadly force against lawbreakers is largely contingent upon the threat of physical harm. In contrast to previous research, firearm owners and non-owners do not differ in their willingness to shoot offenders or in their support for using violence for defensive purposes. Such findings question the distinctiveness of these two groups. Support for firing at criminals, however, did have a cultural component. Willingness to shoot is positively related to childhood socialization into a gun culture and to holding violent attitudes. It also is positively related to the belief that crime is rising, perceived risk of victimization, being nonwhite, and being male.
ISSN:1936-1351
DOI:10.1007/BF02898972