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College Student Attitudes Towards “Smart” Guns: Results from a Nationwide Survey

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Abstract

Existing studies focusing on “smart” guns, weapons that can only be fired by an authorized user, have focused largely on overall views towards the topic. Little is known about how views differ within key demographics or why Americans feel positively or negatively towards smart guns. This study used data from a nationwide web survey of 520 college students to address these concerns. Multinomial regression was used to identify patterns of smart gun preference in quantitative data. Respondents’ open-ended reasoning for their views was examined through common themes and descriptive statistics. About half of the sample preferred smart guns over traditional firearms, with support more likely among females and liberals. Those with more advanced academic standing were more likely to have a traditional gun preference. The sample did not rank cost as a significant concern. Child protection was a much less prominent theme than concerns over (un)authorized users.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice, Penn State Altoona, 101G Cypress Building, 3000 Ivyside Park, Altoona, PA, 16601, USA

    Lacey N. Wallace

  2. Penn State Altoona, Altoona, PA, USA

    Kaylin C. Dunn

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  1. Lacey N. Wallace
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  2. Kaylin C. Dunn
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Correspondence to Lacey N. Wallace.

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Wallace, L.N., Dunn, K.C. College Student Attitudes Towards “Smart” Guns: Results from a Nationwide Survey. J Community Health 43, 55–64 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-017-0387-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-017-0387-7

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