NCJ Number
144911
Journal
American Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 2 Dated: (1992) Pages: 121-141
Date Published
1992
Length
21 pages
Annotation
Given the sparsity of research on the correlates of handgun ownership among subpopulation groups, especially African Americans, this study uses data on African Americans from the National Opinion Research Center General Social Survey to study the effects of criminal victimization, fear of crime, gender, and region on handgun ownership.
Abstract
The study concludes that there are significant differences in the determinants of handgun ownership among African Americans. Among the victims and nonvictims of crime, the results showed that fear of crime did not predict handgun ownership. Marital status was successful in predicting gun ownership among nonvictims of crime but not among victims. Similarly, respondent's income was significant in predicting gun ownership only among crime victims. For both groups, age, and size of place were significant predictors of gun ownership. For African American males, criminal victimization, age, size of place, and income had significant effects on gun ownership. The best predictors of gun ownership for females were marital status and size of place. 6 tables and 52 references