Bang Bang, You're … NOT Dead and You're … NOT Even Hurt?! Messages Provided by Animated Cartoons about Gun Violence.

Abstract

Relying upon a content analysis of animated cartoons, this study examines the messages provided about gun violence, focusing on the following questions: (1) How prevalent is gun violence in animated cartoons? (2) Has this prevalence changed over time? (3) What characteristics are associated with being a perpetrator of gun violence? (4) What types of effects are shown to result from the perpetration of gun violence? (5) What reasons are given for why cartoon characters use guns? (6) What "types" of characters are victimized by firearms? Results indicate that gun violence is prevalent in cartoons and the prevalence has not diminished over time. Cartoons provide inaccurate information about the characteristics associated with perpetrating or being a victim of gun violence. Oftentimes, the use of firearms is shown to result in no negative consequences to the perpetrator or the victim, and this is true even when victims are shown to be shot. When effects are shown, they tend to be minor in nature. Anger, revenge, and inherent meanspiritedness are the most common reasons implied for why characters commit acts of gun violence.