The Association Between Adolescent Gun Ownership and Gun Carrying and Adulthood Violence and Victimization

Citation

Kelsay, James D.; Silver, Ian A.; & Barnes, J. C. (2020). The Association Between Adolescent Gun Ownership and Gun Carrying and Adulthood Violence and Victimization. Violence Vict.

Abstract

Although many studies have highlighted the deleterious outcomes associated with access to firearms, others suggest gun ownership and carrying can have protective effects. This study attempts to adjudicate between these countervailing points and address several important gaps in the literature. To do so, data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health were used to assess the long-term associations between gun ownership and gun carrying in late adolescence and violence and violent victimization in early adulthood. Results from propensity score matching analyses suggest gun carrying, but not gun ownership, is associated with a higher risk of experiencing a violent victimization (b = 0.080, 95% CI = .032, .127) and engaging in violence with a weapon (b = 0.885, 95% CI = .392, 1.378). Efforts to curb firearm-related violence should consider focusing on those who carry guns for additional counseling about these risks.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1891/VV-D-19-00090

Keyword(s)

Firearms

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Violence Vict

Author(s)

Kelsay, James D.
Silver, Ian A.
Barnes, J. C.

Year Published

2020

DOI

10.1891/VV-D-19-00090

Reference ID

5858