More statistics, less persuasion: a cultural theory of gun-risk perceptions

Author: Kahan, Dan M. / Braman, Donald
Publication: University of Pennsylvania Law Review
Topics: Gun Carrying Legislation and Policy Ownership Social Science
Keywords: GUN control cultural view culture empirical analysis
Bibliographic information +

The authors argue that individuals’ positions on gun control vary depending on their cultural worldviews. Egalitarians generally support gun control, whereas individualists oppose it. They suggest that cultural worldviews are more important predictors than a person’s gender, race, political convictions, geographic location, or the community’s level of urbanization. The authors claim that empirical analyses of the effect of gun control laws on crime are likely to be of little use and suggest that emphasis should be placed on creating an environment wherein individuals could openly debate the deeper cultural points that differentiate their positions on gun control issues.

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