Citation

Luxenburg J, Cullen FT, Langworthy RH, Kopache R. J. Crim. Justice 1994; 22(2): 159-170.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/0047-2352(94)90110-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

A growing body of theory and research has emerged on the sources of ownership of firearms for defensive purposes. It contrast, little attention has been given to ownership of other means of protection that also are potentially injurious. To address this omission in the literature, this study examined the ownership not only of guns but also of watchdogs. Based on a survey of 509 residents of Edmond, Oklahoma, the analysis assessed the utility of the "fear and loathing" and "collective security" perspectives in accounting for ownership of these differing forms of potentially injurious means of protection against crime. The analysis was unsuccessful in accounting for ownership of watchdogs, but support was found for the "fear and loathing" explanation of firearm ownership.