Deadly but Protective: Americans' Unique Perception of Weapons

• Published in: Peace and conflict 2021-02, Vol.27 (1), p.81-84
• Main Authors: Syropoulos, Stylianos, Rivera-Rodriguez, Adrian, Gómez, Angel, Baka, Aphrodite, Cros, Sophie, Martel, Francois Alexi, Rottman, Joshua
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Attitudes; Cognition; Cross Cultural Differences; Dangerousness; Female; Firearms; Gun Violence; Human; Humanities and Social Sciences; Hunting; Male; Motivation; Perceptions; Psychology; Safety; Violence; Weapons; Word Associations
• ISSN: 1078-1919; 1532-7949
• DOI: 10.1037/pac0000507

Global levels of violence are declining, yet gun violence and other instances of instrumental violence still occur. While previous research has examined motivations for owning firearms, cognition about firearms-and in particular, perceptions of weapons as affording safety or as affording danger-has remained largely unexplored. We conducted a cross-national mixed-methods investigation involving the United States and three European countries (France, Spain, and Greece). Our findings indicated that Americans perceived weapons (assault rifle, handgun, hunting rifle, combat knife) as more protective and less dangerous than their European counterparts. These differential perceptions have implications for understanding variations in worldwide rates of violence. Public Significance Statement Americans perceive firearms and weapons as less dangerous than their European counterparts, despite being at a greater risk of gun violence. Elucidating the psychological processes behind firearm perception can inform our understanding of firearm ownership, as well as future research and policy on the subject.