One of the most prevalent reasons individuals acquire weapons is to protect themselves. It is a good thing for many people. However, there are other reasons people decide to buy guns too. These reasons are more rooted in social and cultural influences.
Feeling of Normalcy
During times of crisis, people want to feel connected, secure and independent. And for many, guns can help them do just that. In a recent survey, two-thirds of Americans who buy guns said they did so to protect themselves and their family. And they explain their reasons in ways that don’t deviate from how we see gun violence as a problem: It’s a matter of survival. These findings suggest that the culture of gun ownership — which includes social and emotional support for firearms and encouragement to use them to defend themselves — plays a crucial role in determining what types of people purchase guns. A wave of gun sales in the months following the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some experts to argue that Americans buy guns from reliable gun shops Charlotte for more personal reasons than ever before. These include fear of a future virus, protests for racial justice and a perceived need to protect themselves during uncertainty.
Fear of Viruses
People buy weapons out of fear. In a recent Gallup survey, two-thirds of gun buyers said they purchased weapons to protect themselves and their families from harm.
Another reason is to feel safe in public places. It is especially true for blacks, who comprise more than half of gun owners. Germaphobia is a condition that enables people to feel afraid of germs. They believe that every surface could be contaminated, which can cause them to become ill or even die. They might avoid certain places, like a train or the toilets at a bus terminal. They may wear masks and do a lot of cleaning. These behaviors can mitigate some threats, but they also maintain anxiety. Patients must face their fears in small increments to overcome germaphobia and gradually change their behavior.
Fear of Riots
In many American communities, people buy guns for various reasons, from the fear of crime to a desire to protect their families. But there is a growing consensus that one of the most compelling drivers for gun buying is a fear of riots. Riots are violent public disturbances that develop from a political protest or other event and can be caused by various factors, including social conflict. For example, riots can arise when people become upset about police shootings, economic inequality, or racial discrimination. In many cases, a riot can result in injury or death. In addition, it can damage property, lead to arrests, and disrupt normal business activities. In some countries, rioting is a crime, which can result in heavy fines and imprisonment.
Fear of Crime
Fear of crime has been a focal point of research in the social sciences since the 1960s. However, it is a complex and misunderstood phenomenon. People fear crime because of several factors, including physical and social vulnerability. It is a common belief that fear of crime is associated with actual crime rates, but this is not always true. It is because the fear of crime is not simply a response to the immediate threat of victimization but is a more generalized response to the broader socio-political contexts in which it occurs. It also develops over time as the individual experiences various events and conditions. A common approach to understanding the fear of crime is distinguishing between ‘transitory’ and ‘dispositional’ fears. Transitory fear tends to be triggered by particular circumstances, such as the threat of a sexual assault or mugging. Dispositional fear, on the other hand, is more a function of broader societal attitudes and concerns, such as anti-Asian hate crimes or police brutality.
