Examining Gender Specific Models of the Role of Fear of Crime on Gun Ownership

• In Event: Looking Down the Barrel: Analyses of Gun Issues in America

Abstract

Previous research indicates that a large majority of gun owners own for protective purposes. It is logical to assume, then, that fear of crime could influence the ownership of firearms. However, nearly all previous research testing the relationship between fear of crime and gun ownership has determined this relationship only to be correlational and failed to establish a clear causal relationship. This study will test the relationship between fear of crime and gun ownership as it relates to changes in the level of crime to determine if a causal relationship does in fact exist. Additionally, gender specific models will be developed to examine the interaction between gender and fear of crime and identify the implications for gun ownership research. . What little research that exists on female gun owners indicates that many who own and/or have had little contact with the American gun culture in the past, often own for protection, perhaps out of fear of victimization. It is hypothesized that testing the relationship of fear of crime and gun ownership with gender specific models may reveal different results from previous studies that look at gun owners as a whole.

Authors

• Danielle Fenimore, Radford University

• Nicole Hendrix, Radford University