“It’s nice to see a woman ask questions”: Intersectionality, Stigma, and Harassment at Gun Shows

• In Event: Consumption and Inequality

Abstract

How does gender influence interactions at gun shows? How do these experiences vary by the intersections of race/ethnicity, age, and relationship status? Drawing from 50 interviews and 120 hours of fieldwork attending 40 shows across Indiana (2020-2025), I argue women’s experiences at gun shows differ based on intersectional presentations of race/ethnicity, age, and relationship status. More than any other group, Black women are subjected to a courtesy stigma—sellers may be skeptical she is purchasing a firearm on behalf of someone else (i.e., a straw purchase for a prohibited person). Alternatively, older White women, especially those who are married, receive the most freedom to participate in these environments. In fact, buying a gun on behalf of her husband is viewed positively, even if this could technically be a straw purchase. Finally, there is one additional benefit for partnered women—regardless of race/ethnicity or age—compared to single women in attendance. They are subjected to the least amount of sexual harassment in this environment, although few participants are immune, even men. I conclude by discussing how such interactions reinforce preexisting biases in mainstream American gun culture instead of contributing to a welcoming, inclusive, and ultimately profitable marketplace.

Author

• Callie Cleckner, Arizona State University