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Gun Ownership as a Social Identity: Estimating Behavioral and Attitudinal Relationships

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  • Matthew J. Lacombe
  • Adam J. Howat
  • Jacob E. Rothschild

Abstract

Objective Recent research suggests that a gun owner social identity may undergird the deep political engagement of U.S. gun rights supporters. We adapt social psychological measures to assess whether such an identity does indeed exist, examine the factors that predict whether individuals hold the identity, and assess whether the identity predicts individuals’ political attitudes and participation. Methods We analyze two distinct survey data sets using various statistical techniques: (1) an original Mechanical Turk survey and (2) a survey of gun owners conducted by the Pew Research Center. Results Gun owner identity is an individual characteristic that can be meaningfully measured. Moreover, gun owner identity is predicted by contact with the National Rifle Association and participation in gun‐related social activities, among other factors. Further, this identity strongly predicts firearm‐related policy attitudes, the importance individuals place upon these issues, and their propensity to act in opposition to gun regulations, all independent of gun ownership. Conclusions Our results suggest that nuanced measurement of gun owner identity can provide a richer understanding of gun policy attitudes, identity politics, and interest group influence. In so doing, they help explain gun rights supporters’ unusual dedication and, by extension, the NRA's success in the realm of gun policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew J. Lacombe & Adam J. Howat & Jacob E. Rothschild, 2019. "Gun Ownership as a Social Identity: Estimating Behavioral and Attitudinal Relationships," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 100(6), pages 2408-2424, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:100:y:2019:i:6:p:2408-2424
    DOI: 10.1111/ssqu.12710
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    Cited by:

    1. Shawn Ratcliff, 2022. "Presidential firepower: The effect of the presidential party on gun ownership, 1980–2018," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(3), pages 737-751, May.
    2. Raymond Tatalovich & Donald P. Haider‐Markel, 2022. "Voting on gun rights: Mapping the electoral scope of the pro‐gun constituency in America," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(6), pages 1359-1370, November.
    3. Alexandra Filindra & Loren Collingwood & Noah J. Kaplan, 2020. "Anxious About Social Violence: The Emotional Underpinnings of Support for Gun Control," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 101(5), pages 2101-2120, September.
    4. Diana C. Mutz, 2023. "Freedom of Speech in the Post-Floyd Era: Public Support for Political Tolerance," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 708(1), pages 184-205, July.
    5. Gerdes, Madison B, 2023. "Assessing the relationship between gun ownership and fear of mass shootings," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    6. Christopher G. Ellison & Margaret S. Kelley & David Leal & Pablo E. Gonzalez, 2022. "How do veterans view gun policies? Evidence from the Guns in American Life Survey," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 103(3), pages 752-768, May.

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