Why Gun Control Reform Is So Difficult: A Latent Class Analysis of Gun Policy Preferences

ABSTRACT

Americans have a reoccurring discussion about firearms and gun culture in America with no policy changes. We used data from Pew Research fielded just after the Sandy Hook tragedy in 2012 to conduct a latent class analysis of gun policy positions and assess how demographic characteristics, such as religion, impact belonging to particular gun policy latent classes. Unlike much previous research, we analyzed not just individuals’ viewpoints on gun policy but also the actions they take regarding their viewpoints. In this attempt to understand why a seemingly dominant view (i.e., a desire to change gun laws) never seems to move forward, we found that the largest latent class is respondents favoring gun control but who are not active. Further, unlike those within the active gun control class, respondents in the active pro-gun latent class are more likely to contribute financially rather than just sign petitions or speak out.

KEYWORDS:

• gun control
• latent class
• policy
• religion
• United States

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aaron B. Franzen

Aaron B. Franzen is associate professor of sociology at Hope College. His research generally focuses on processes of medical socialization and social determinants of health, often as tied to one’s beliefs and values. Current work explores medical student socialization, medical student professionalization, and how medical student identities change over time already beginning in their undergraduate years.

Pamela Ray Koch

Pamela Ray Koch is a professor of sociology, the chair of the sociology department, and the director of the peace studies minor at Hope College. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and a PhD in Sociology from the University of South Carolina. Her research focuses on public policy and social institutions and also the relationship between family and education.