“Like Make Up on a Man”: The Gendered Nature of Gun Norms

ABSTRACT

Prior research has established that women involved in criminal social networks and streetlife subculture tend to have high levels of personal victimization. Despite high levels of risk, and an apparent wide availability, these women typical neither carry nor use firearms, specifically handguns. Drawing upon interviews with 31 criminally involved women, this paper explores these women’s victimization experiences and their experiences with, and attitudes towards, firearms, especially handguns. Overall, we find that many norms held by women towards firearms in mainstream culture are shared by their peers involved in streetlife subculture.

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Notes on contributors

Christopher W. Mullins

Christopher W. Mullins, Ph.D. is a Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Southern Illinois University. His research focuses on structural and cultural aspects of violence, including street violence, terrorism, and mass atrocity. He has published four books, one co-edited volume, and over 60 peer reviewed articles and book chapters in a wide variety of outlets. He is currently working on a socio-legal history of the laws of war.

Sou Lee

Sou Lee is a doctoral candidate at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. His research focuses on street and prison gangs, and juvenile delinquency. His current research explores identity mechanisms among street gang members and the formation and role of prison gangs in the Philippines.