In Search of the Smoking Gun: Consensus and Division in the Gun Control Debate

Abstract

Incidents of gun violence and mass shootings continue to shock the U.S. citizenry. Each time there is a call for change, but then little happens. In this article we explore the history of gun control in America, how the issue became polarized, and search for sources of consensus or divide. Situated in Pennsylvania, we utilize a state-wide survey and regional focus groups to explore why individuals support or oppose gun control. Similar to prior research, we find the topic becomes polarized when reduced to a discussion for or against the second amendment. However, in the focus groups, we find much consensus on specific proposed policies, particularly those designed to protect children. Overall, our findings reveal that citizens remain open to gun control when the debate is directed at specific policies, rather than rhetoric. Our findings are important for future research on gun control as well as to policy-makers.

Keywords:

• Gun control
• public opinion
• gun violence

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1 For this statistic we use the definition of a mass shooting provided by the Gun Violence Archive which is four or more individuals shot or killed not including the shooter.

2 Available at https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=clinton+speech+after+columbine&view=detail&mid=E1160D62F09508A691A3E1160D62F09508A691A3&FORM = VIRE accessed August 12, 2020

3 Information provided by the Gun Violence Archive.

4 The same people were not interviewed across time points. This is a cross-sectional representation of the opinions of republicans and democrats in a statewide poll.

5 California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Megan Kurlychek

Megan Kurlychek is a Professor of Criminology at Penn State University. She holds Ph.D. in Crime, Law and Justice from Penn State, a master's degree in the Administration of Justice and a bachelor's degree in Sociology. Prior to Penn State, Dr. Kurlychek was a Professor at the University at Albany where she also served as Executive Director of the Hindelang Criminal Justice Center, Executive Director of the New York State Youth Justice Institute and Editor of Justice Quarterly. Her research has been published in the field's leading journals including Criminology, Criminology and Public Policy, Justice Quarterly and Crime and Delinquency.

James Lee

Jim Lee is President, CEO and Founder of Susquehanna Polling & Research, Inc. (SP&R), a Pennsylvania-based survey research and polling firm with a national reputation for expert polling for corporate, consumer and political clients. In 2016, SP&R acquired The Bartlett Group, a full service focus group firm specializing in qualitative research services. Prior to founding SP&R, Lee was employed as a lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business & Industry and a special projects coordinator for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Lee holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from Lycoming College and is working towards a master's degree in Public Administration. Lee is a frequent on-air political analyst and his polling has been quoted on national T V and radio shows including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times, the Rush Limbaugh Radio Show, Sean Hannity/Fox NEWS, the Bill Maher Show and MSNBC's Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Emerson Waite

Emerson Waite is a Ph.D. student at the Pennsylvania State University in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Prior to arriving at Penn State Emerson received his bachelor's degree in Sociology from Susquehanna University. His research interests including courts, corrections and sentencing, and public policy and administration.

Alexander Vanhee

Alex Vanhee is a Ph.D. candidate at the Pennsylvania State University in the Department of Sociology and Criminology. Before arriving at Penn State Alex graduated magna cum laude from Baylor University in Waco, Texas with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology. Alex completed his master's degree in spring 2021. His primary interests include victimization, white collar crime and theory.