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What is gun culture? Cultural variations and trends across the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Claire Boine

    (Boston University School of Public Health)

  • Michael Siegel

    (Boston University School of Public Health)

  • Craig Ross

    (Boston University School of Public Health)

  • Eric W. Fleegler

    (Harvard Medical School)

  • Ted Alcorn

    (Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health)

Abstract

We developed empirical methods to identify variations in elements of gun culture across states. Using these methods, we then analyzed the prominence of these subcultures between states and over time from 1998 through 2016. Using state-level data, we conducted a principal component analysis of 11 variables associated with gun-related behaviors and retained only the significant components. We then analyzed the presence of these components over time and across states. Based on the principal component analysis, we identified three cultural variations. Component 1 reflected recreational elements of gun culture. Component 2 represented a self-defense element of gun culture. Component 3 was indicative of a symbolic cultural element centered around the protection of the Second Amendment and insurrectionism. Over time, the recreational cultural element declined in prominence while the self-defense one rose and the Second Amendment advocacy one remained stable. This paper advances the literature on gun culture by demonstrating that: (1) gun culture is not monolithic; (2) there are multiple elements of gun culture that vary substantially between states; (3) over time, the recreational gun subculture has been falling in prominence whereas the self-defense subculture has been rising; and (4) there is another subculture, distinct from the self-defense one, which consists in mobilization around the Second Amendment and was strongest in places where state firearm laws are most extensive.

Suggested Citation

  • Claire Boine & Michael Siegel & Craig Ross & Eric W. Fleegler & Ted Alcorn, 2020. "What is gun culture? Cultural variations and trends across the United States," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 7(1), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palcom:v:7:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1057_s41599-020-0520-6
    DOI: 10.1057/s41599-020-0520-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jessica Dawson, 2019. "Shall not be infringed: how the NRA used religious language to transform the meaning of the Second Amendment," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Jonathan M. Metzl, 2019. "What guns mean: the symbolic lives of firearms," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 5(1), pages 1-5, December.
    3. SHOR, BORIS & McCARTY, NOLAN, 2011. "The Ideological Mapping of American Legislatures," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 105(3), pages 530-551, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gerdes, Madison B, 2023. "Assessing the relationship between gun ownership and fear of mass shootings," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    2. David Yamane, 2022. "Gun Culture 2.0: The Evolution and Contours of Defensive Gun Ownership in America," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 704(1), pages 20-43, November.

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