Abstract

Incidents of gun violence and mass shootings continue to shock the U.S. citizenry. Each time there is a call for change, but then little happens. In this article we explore the history of gun control in America, how the issue became polarized, and search for sources of consensus or divide. Situated in Pennsylvania, we utilize a state-wide survey and regional focus groups to explore why individuals support or oppose gun control. Similar to prior research, we find the topic becomes polarized when reduced to a discussion for or against the second amendment. However, in the focus groups, we find much consensus on specific proposed policies, particularly those designed to protect children. Overall, our findings reveal that citizens remain open to gun control when the debate is directed at specific policies, rather than rhetoric. Our findings are important for future research on gun control as well as to policy-makers.

摘要

枪支暴力和大规模枪击事件继续震惊美国公民。每次都呼吁改变，但很少发生。在本文中，我们探讨了美国枪支管制的历史，这个问题如何变得两极分化，并寻找共识或分歧的来源。我们位于宾夕法尼亚州，利用全州范围的调查和区域焦点小组来探索个人支持或反对枪支管制的原因。与先前的研究类似，我们发现当简化为支持或反对第二修正案的讨论时，该主题变得两极分化。然而，在焦点小组中，我们发现对具体提议的政策达成了很多共识，特别是那些旨在保护儿童的政策。总体而言，我们的研究结果表明，当辩论针对具体政策而非言论时，公民仍然对枪支管制持开放态度。