Firearm Attitudes Across Borders: Comparing Immigrants’ and Native-Born Americans’ Perception of Gun Ownership

• In Event: Tracking the Trade: Gun Trafficking, Markets, and Regulatory Gaps

Abstract

Gun ownership is a widespread phenomenon in the United States. Indeed, the U.S. has been recognized as the world's leading country for firearm ownership, with estimates indicating that there is nearly one gun for every person in the country, and more than half of those who do not currently own a firearm express a desire to do so. Using a college-based sample (N = 462), this study examines perceptions of gun ownership in the United States among immigrants and native-born citizens. The results suggest that immigrants and native-born citizens differ significantly concerning their views on gun ownership. Participants in our sample who self-identified as immigrants held significantly less favorable views of gun ownership when compared to native-born participants. Policy implications of these findings are discussed.

Authors

• Samuel K. Agboola, University of Mississippi

• Francis Boateng, University of Mississippi

• Katharine L. Brown, The University of Mississippi

• D'Andre Walker, University of Mississippi