Title: High School Students’ Attitudes About Firearms Policies

Publication Date: December 2003

What does it say?

This report examines high school students’ attitudes about gun control policies and compares their attitudes to adults.

The data used in this study was collected from the Hamilton Youth and Guns Poll, which is the first national survey of high school students concerning their attitudes towards firearm policies. The survey collected data from 1,005 responding high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors and asked questions regarding their exposure to guns and opinions about firearm policies.

Data collected from the survey shows that most high school students supported more restrictive firearm policies. Eighty-two point eight percent of the respondents believed that the government should do everything it can to keep handguns out of the hands of criminals. There is also an overwhelming amount of support for extending background checks to all gun sales (91.3%).

In brief, most high school students support more restrictive firearm policies. These opinions varied little across demographic variables, except gender. Females were much more in favor of stricter gun policies.

 

How can I use it?

Use this report to provide evidence and challenge lawmakers to pass legislation that requires Brady background checks on all gun sales, including gun shows. This report can also be used to advocate for other firearm policies that can preserve the safety of the general public.

Citation

Vittes, Katherine A, Susan B. Sorenson, Dennis Gilbert, “High School Students’ Attitudes About Firearms Policies,” Adolescent Medicine 33 (2003):471-478

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