Gender Differences in Gun Ownership and Practices Associated With Sexual Assault and Other Violent Victimization.

Abstract

Gun ownership is often motivated by a desire to protect oneself and one's family from perceived threats. These perceived dangers may include hypothetical or future scenarios and can be based on personal experiences of victimization. In this article, we extend the extant body of literature assessing the linkages between criminal victimization and firearm ownership and related behaviors, leveraging data from the Guns in American Life Survey. In particular, we examine whether ever being a victim of sexual assault-by itself or also experiencing other forms of violence is associated with gun ownership and practices and whether these patterns vary by gender. Our dependent variables include firearm ownership and related behaviors (i.e., firearm storage methods, loaded status, and carrying). Our findings present a mix of both expected and surprising outcomes. The type of victimization plays a significant role in understanding patterns of gun ownership and behaviors. Interestingly, experiencing rape alone was positively associated with only one outcome-access to a loaded gun for males-and negatively associated with one outcome-male victims' gun ownership. Experiencing sexual assault and another form of violent victimization was positively associated with most outcomes. Additionally, gender differences emerge in these relationships, suggesting that men and women may respond differently to victimization when it comes to firearm ownership and usage. We address these findings and conclude with a discussion of policy implications.