Citation

Cao L, Cullen FT, Link BG. Criminology 1997; 35(4): 629-658.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1997, American Society of Criminology)

DOI

10.1111/j.1745-9125.1997.tb01233.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Based on a survey of 539 residents of Cincinnati, this study assesses various explanations of gun ownership. The analysis reveals that gender and childhood socialization into a gun culture are significantly related to protective and general (or "sport") firearm possession. In contrast, only protective gun ownership appears to be linked to crime-related factors. Conservative crime ideology and concern about the relative level of crime in one's neighborhood increase armament for defensive purposes, while informal collective security--the belief that neighbors will provide assistance against criminal victimization--reduces protective gun ownership.

Language: en