RT Article
T1 Gun ownership, poverty, and mental health associations with crime: A cross-state comparison
JF Criminology & criminal justice
VO 23
IS 2
SP 257
OP 272
A1 Smith, Sven
A2 Ferguson, Christopher J.
A2 Askew, Robert
A2 Pitts, Jonathan
A2 Hinderleider, Alan
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1839407778
AB Violent crime is a concern in the United States. Past research has suggested different correlates, including poverty, mental health disorders and the presence of guns. One particular theory, named the facilitation hypothesis, states that firearms enhance the power of an aggressor, they reduce the necessity of a physical attack, and encourage those who may not otherwise resort to violence. We look at various social factors and their relationship regarding different indicators of violent crime. We find that at the state level, gun ownership is correlated with violent crimes and income inequality with homicides specifically and we find support for the facilitation hypothesis. Future public policies which target these issues appear likely to bear fruit toward the goal of reducing crime.
K1 Violence
K1 Poverty
K1 Guns
K1 Facilitation
K1 Crime
DO 10.1177/17488958211060473