I did my own research on attitudes about guns; here's what I found

Hi friends! I know this is different than what I usually post and has nothing to do with being transnationally adopted or feminism, but I think it is a very relevant topic and in my research I was very intrigued by what I learned. Anyways, hope you all enjoy!

When it comes to gun control, the United States looks divided. With conservative sources like Fox News reporting guns being taken away and liberal sources like CNN reporting new shootings every day, it seems like the controversy divides the nation deeply. But I wanted to know what people really felt like. I aim to learn about county views on gun control and gun violence. Hopefully the research can determine if people agree with law makers, state and federal. Upon understanding the population’s views of gun control, policy can better reflect the public and research can grasp general understanding of people’s attitudes around guns. My own research is pretty limited, seeing as it was very informal and in my own consevative hometown. However, I would like us to consider what happens when we open up the dialog and think about where we are divided.

Most of the literature used for this research was published last year. Gun control and effective policy is a priority as mass shootings are on the rise; therefore, it is increasingly important for researchers and legislators to identify perceptions or gaps in scholarship so far. While it is impossible for scholarship to completely uncover public attitudes and loopholes in policy, open discourse might reveal unknown problems.

In a study for the NYT (2017), public opinion and various expert opinions are examined by the researchers to find policies that are popular and effective. The experts are represented by “dozens of social scientists, lawyers and public health officials” (Bui &Sanger-Katz). Most Americans and experts actually agree on more of the “expert” declared effective methods, such as mental health treatment and universal background checks. Many Americans are also in favor of methods that experts do not agree with, such as honoring out of state conceal carry permits. Their research also seems to indicate that a majority of Americans support various forms of gun control more than those who do not. Only “demonstrating need for a gun” has less than 60% of American support (just under 50%). Overall, this research illustrates the perception of gun control in the United States.

Researchers Pearson-Merkowitz and Dyck (2017) look at the attitudes on gun control policies in different US counties through a political party lens. They looked at the difference between Democrats, Republicans, and Independent voters. Independents seem to be more driven by the experiences of their area, and feel very strongly about gun control in high crime environments. Conversely, Independents in low crime areas are less likely to support gun control, since they see less need. Democrats also are affected, but look at political attitudes and take other factors into account. Republicans are the least influenced by their environment and less likely to have their opinions swayed. This could provide some explanation to how Republican ran states around places like Illinois and Washington D.C. have very little gun control, despite seeing the violence in the surrounding areas.

Gun attitudes can be framed by media. Steidley and Colen (2016) identify themes and ideas pushed by both the NRA and anti-gun violence foundation, the Brady Campaign. The NRA relies heavily on the second amendment and mainly pushes the ideas that guns are fun and safe. Whereas the Brady Campaign focuses on democracy and dramatizes gun violence. The ads affect the way each organization is framed by the media. Steidley and Colen also found that The Brady Campaign usually pushes the same values held by journalists and is more likely to appeal to them positively. This provides insight to widescreen coverage on shootings and negative press on 2^nd amendment supporters.

Wolfson,Teret, Azrael, and Miller (2017) conducted online surveys on attitudes about gun control; also looking at differences specifically in owners and nonowners. The researchers overall found public attitudes do not want to expand areas that guns can be in at rates above 50%. However, people who do not own guns support greater gun control than gun owners, with gun owners expressing support for guns in a variety of public areas (restaurants, service settings, retail stores) (p. 933).  Even gun owners do not have overwhelming support for guns on college campuses, despite legislation being passed in certain states to allow that.  Overall, legislators seem to want guns allowed in more places that the public does. Looking at a local area, over a nationwide distribution, the Rogue Valley is expected to reflect these attitudes.

In a poll collected four months after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook elementary school, Wozniak (2017) looks at responses to analyze gun control opinions. The findings suggest Americans are divided on gun control for semi-automatic weapons, but a slim majority do favor a ban. A large majority also favor background checks, an overarching theme in most of the literature about gun control. Diving deeper, Wozniak looks at what influences these findings and multiple variables. A variety of issues correlate with gun control concerns, and instances of violence do not seem to sway public opinion.

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In conducting my own research, I talked to a competitive shooter and his coach in my hometown. I encountered them after finishing practice for a competition. They both expressed "pro-gun/anti-gun control" sentiments. What I found interesting though, is that they both had different philosophies on guns. They both agree that gun violence can be reduced by teaching kids at very young age about guns and how to handle them properly with "a rigid set of rules."  However, the coach emphasizes knowing what to do with a gun, as if it were a tool. The competitive shooter was clear that guns should be treated as a weapon, as if it were always loaded. Something I had always heard from my police person parents. The coach also felt scared to express his attitudes on guns, saying he felt like an unprotected minority (I did not unpack that with him, plus, I was not there to judge). The competitive shooter was unconcerned, any criticism, he said he rolled off his shoulders. They both agreed on the idea that accidents involving guns should be wildly publicized, because it is an opportunity to learn what went wrong. 

After learning their views, I told them my own. I was pro-gun control, but my own ideas weren't vastly different from theirs. Educating people about guns is super high priority in my own opinion. However, I also felt like a lot people who should not have guns were getting them legally. Whether or not criminals will always break laws, why should that mean that we shouldn't throw speed bumps in? They mostly agreed with me! What they didn't want, were restrictions on owning guns (ie: a ban); which for the US, I agree would be ineffective.

In another interview, I talked to a gun counter employee at a sporting goods store. He identifies as a Republican voter. When asked about gun control, he supports education and mental health background checks. He also thinks many of the shootings could be prevented that way. He also proposed the idea that everyone should conceal carry. Of course, he lost me here, but his reasoning makes a lot of sense. Conceal carry permits are a lot more rigorous to obtain than just guns. And it means the gun must be registered, something not all states require for just owning a gun. There is a required proof of education in our state, which can ensure the gun owner is at least being educated about guns. While I’m not completely on board, his reasoning was well thought out and I support education and gun registration.

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Overall, my experience only reflects myself and these people. What I did learn though is to some extent we all think the system that sells guns to mass shooters should be fixed. With the three guys I talked to, we all support preventative measures. I know this doesn’t follow for everyone, and some policies will never be agreed upon, but maybe we agree more than we realize.

Thanks for reading my post! If you think it's relatable or know someone who needs to read it (if you’re using it to call out someone's racism) feel free to share! 살있어

-thesometimesasian