NCJ Number
96235
Date Published
1984
Length
66 pages
Annotation
A Canadian study of the relationship between fear of crime; victimization; and attitudes toward different protective measures, with an emphasis on attitudes toward the use of firearms for protection is reported.
Abstract
The study involved a review of relevant literature, with a specific attempt to compare data obtained before and after gun control legislation was passed in 1978 and 1979. Both the Greater Vancouver Victimization Survey (GVVS) and the March 1982 Gallup survey indicate that the majority of people regard property loss or vandalism as the most serious crime problem in their neighborhoods. Only 15 percent of GVVS respondents and 11 percent of Gallup respondents said that their neighborhood was characterized by a high rate of crime. The Gallup study also suggests that certain subgroups within the population perceive higher levels of crime in general and of specific types of crime. Residents of British Columbia and Quebec and those aged 18 to 29 were most likely to state that there was a serious crime problem in their neighborhood. Additionally, this study suggests that certain segments of the population feel less safe than others. Women, older people, those with low incomes, residents of large cities, and Quebecers reported an above average concern about going out alone in their areas. GVVS results indicate that being the victim of a recent crime tends to increase perceptions of the amount and seriousness of neighborhood crime. Finally, evidence reveals that persons who acquire guns for protection are likely to have been victims of crimes involving personal attacks or violence. Two tables and 23 references are included.