THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF GUN OWNERSHIP - SELF-PROTECTION IN AN URBAN-ENVIRONMENT

Based on a survey of 539 residents of Cincinnati, this study assesses various explanations of gun ownership. The analysis reveals that gende r and childhood socialization into a gun culture are significantly rel ated to protective and general (or ''sport'') firearm possession. In c ontrast, only protective gun ownership appears to be linked to crime-r elated factors. Conservative crime ideology and concern about the rela tive level of crime in one's neighborhood increase armament for defens ive purposes, while informal collective security-the belief that neigh bors will provide assistance against criminal victimization-reduces pr otective gun ownership.