Juvenile Gun Ownership in the USA: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Lee Michael Johnson

University of West Georgia, USA

Todd L. Matthews

University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, USA

David Jenks

University of West Georgia, USA

Christy W. Bass

Carroll County Public Defenders Office, USA

Abstract:

In this paper, published research and some existing data are analyzed to assess the current state of empirical knowledge on juvenile gun ownership and identify areas in need of future research. Limited research has been conducted on juvenile gun ownership, identifying only a few consistent correlates or predictors. Studies suggest that some owners are more criminally problematic than are others. The data analysis is largely consistent with past research in showing that 1) results of studies examining juvenile gun ownership will differ according to type of ownership, namely protective versus recreational (hunting and sport) or handgun/sawed off long gun versus regular rifle or shotgun 2) variables associated with violence and delinquency-self-protection motive, gun carrying by family members, and gun carrying by peers-are associated more with concealable than long gun ownership and 3) the threat of victimization does not appear to be a major force behind juvenile gun ownership.

Keyword:

Juvenile, Gun, Firearm, Handgun, Long Gun, Ownership