Date

5-11-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This study will focus on gun ownership and opinions on gun control among immigrants and those born in the United States. Previous studies have shown that immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than US-born persons. The reasons for this are not well understood. One possible explanation is lower rates of gun ownership and attitudes supportive of gun control in this social group. However, previous studies have not looked at this issue. By utilizing publicly available data from the General Social Survey (GSS) – public opinion survey representative of all non-institutionalized adults in the United States - this study will fill this important gap in academic literature. Ordinary least square regression will be used to determine the relationship between immigrant generations and their likelihood of owning guns and their opinions on gun control. Results show that compared to first generation immigrants, second and third generation immigrants are more likely to own a gun and oppose gun permits.

Department

Criminal Justice

Thesis Comittee

Dr. Feodor Gostjev, Thesis Advisor

Dr. Emily Brissette, Committee Member

Dr. Jamie Huff, Committee Member

Copyright and Permissions

Original document was submitted as an Honors Program requirement. Copyright is held by the author.

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