CJC 365 week 3 - firearm fatalities and weapon insturmentality AND week 4 - gun culture and youth perspectives

What are the characteristics common of homicide victims

Young, black, urban, male

What are the characteristics common of suicide victims

Older, white, rural, male

What are the trends in homicide

Urban minority populations

What is the geographic distribution of homicide

Concentrated in urban centers

What are the trends in suicide

Rural white populations

What is the geographic distribution of suicide

More dispersed in rural areas

What do the maps of geographic distribution highlight

Hot spots which are not obvious on national trends

What’s the weapon instrumentality of guns

They increase the lethality of violent situations

What factors can determine the lethality of a violent act committed by gun

Intent, opportunity, victim resistance, proximity

What are some policies that could reduce lethality of firearms

Safe storage laws, limits on high-capacity firearms

Most violent crimes do or do not result in death?

Do not

What are some subcultures of gun culture

Self-protection, sport/recreation, symbolic identity

How does gun attachment vary

From casual ownership to strong cultural identity

What does Fontaine claim in regards to Chicago youth

Some young adults carry guns regularly usually for self protection

According to Fontaine, what percent of young adults in Chicago carry guns and how often

7% always, 32% sometimes, 45% rarely

What does Fontaine utilize for his study

Social networks, illegal sales

What are the issues with reducing gun carrying according to Fontaine

Requires addressing threats, community safety, and trust in police

What are the trends in firearm ownership

Self defense motivation increased and safety mixed

How have handgun rates changed

They’ve gone up but number of owners may not

What has a strong correlation with firearm ownership

Suicide

What has a weak correlation with firearm ownership

Homicide