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YOUNG GUNS

Over Half of High School, College Students Considering Gun Ownership

A new survey shows the next generation is just as likely to buy guns

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by Dain Fitzgerald

Staff Writer t

Image: shepardhumphries.blogspot.com

Over half of high school and college kids are considering owning a gun at some point in the future, according to a new survey.

4,000 students across the country were contacted by American University in Washington DC, and it was discovered that 40% of them planned to own a firearm once they've secured their own place, while an additional 20% were considering the option.

"I think the major contribution of the poll results is to demonstrate that now is the time to have a serious conversation about gun control since the next generation is no less likely to plan to own guns," said survey designer Jennifer L. Lawless.

Other results gleaned from the poll include the finding that about half of students self-described as "depressed" and "stressed out" were likewise planning on owning a gun one day, and that women were less keen than men on buying a firearm in the future due fears of gun violence.

Via American University.
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  • o
    cleverusername
    !
    So only half the students were honest in answering "Other results gleaned from the poll include the finding that about half of students self-described as "depressed" and "stressed out""
    Did you know Winston Churchill was bi-polar?
    That Abraham Lincoln was depressed?
  • ir0nw0lfe
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    Perhaps students didn't really want to advertise that have ccw. I would think that would be the one dorm that a mass shooter avoided.
  • DARSB
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    @ir0nw0lfe Beats me - there was a lot of anticipation that this would be popular. I think most folks were surprised when it flopped.
  • Medicinebow
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    @DARSB Since you have to be 21 most likely there is little demand for dorms. I wouldn't want to be in a dorm with a CCW. I'd rather be somewhere else off campus.
  • View all 10 replies >
  • stepped_in_it
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    Sounds like the business of producing firearms and ammo is secure for the future! Hey, maybe most of them won't be liberal democrats either, but will help to start and sustain a new third party.....bahaha
  • u
    seedtick
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    Well, why wouldn't they? Their parents and grandparents own them. Many of them grew up around guns and understand when and how to use a gun. My son used to take his shotgun to school and leave it in his car so he could go hunting directly after school was over. And, he was in a 4-H sponsored shooting program in JR. High.
  • kathyparsell
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    It used to be a free country, one where honest citizens weren't punished because of the actions of the criminal and the insane.
  • u
    Altonroe
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    Sure. That's why he said fifty five percent of America wants more gun control. If he said it was higher it would be obvious that it was a lie. The polls I see the majority are not in favor of more gun controls. Not Evan assault weapons or large mags.
  • u
    Altonroe
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    @MadAmerican I am all over the gun control issue. What I am seeing is most gun owners see the assault weapon ban as a step in the wrong direction Evan if they will never own one.
  • kathyparsell
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    I don't know why anyone would be the least surprised. Unless they are one of those shut their ears to the public stated opinion for years. All it takes historically to increase gun sells...start talking about bans and regulations. Get the message Washington, start trying to fix the problems of poverty and mental illness, and adress the problem of non-violent offenders overcrowding our jails to the degree that current guns laws can't be prosecuted before trying to punish law abiding citizens by restricting their guns.
  • kirbstomp1
    !
    As a current college student and legal gun owner, I find this very true. Our construction management program at my university has an annual clay shoot. Even though I've changed my major, I still attend the event. I find our generation enjoys guns more for sport and fun, although, we have grown up through the Gulf War, Iraq War, the War in Afghanistan, the War on Drugs, and an attack on American soil. We have buddies coming back either suicidal, blown up, or bullets wound scars. We are taught history repeats if the people do not change it, and find our sporting guns just as efficient at killing a deer as a tyrant. I will say our generation is more pacifist, but thats because we study what happened in the past presently and are reminded what war has done; destroyed millions of lives, while a few rich get richer. I do see this as an important topic as the government should fear its people.

    As the dog is trained so should the government. If dog bites the hand that feeds, dog is taken into the backyard and shot. If dog decides to kill the human how would dog live? For the human doesn't need the dog to survive, but the dog without a doubt needs the human for survival. We own the government, at least the constitution says so, but this dog has been biting and biting for quite a while, and I think dog is showing a little to much ownership.
  • Post Removed by Moderators
  •
    ConserveUSA
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    I remember when I was in Elementary School when I got my first Rifle and Shotgun! Deer Hunting and Duck Hunting introduced me at young age. I was taught Gun and Hunting Safety and passed a course.
  • FollowTheMoney
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    I had a similar up bringing. I raised all my children the same way. In my family, guns are nothing more than tools. All four of my kids now have kids of their own and all own guns. I wouldn't label any of us "gun nuts". We have guns just as we all have power tools. I just don't understand the opposition to gun ownership. When what we have is a criminal problem.
  • PoliticalSpice
    !
    @FollowTheMoney Well I am pro- second anendment, but I use the word "gun nut" to describe the people who seem to think the second amendment is the only thing that matters. Who say paranoid and crazy things, and talk about something like a gun safe requirement or trigger gaurds as if it means the government is going to confiscate their firearms. The two idiots who decided to walk around the city pf portland a day or two after a school shooting in the ca. Weeks after the newton shooting, without any understanding of how scared people would be and how stupid their action was.
  • PoliticalSpice
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    @ConserveUSA You are One of very few who back the second amendment that hadnot attacked me and assumed I support gun control for critizing those wing nuts. Modt people have no clue on good public relation skills. Now if 10 or 20 or 50 people were marching with guns and signs explaining why they were doing it they might be dramatic, but most people reading the digns would understand they are trying to make a point, but what they did just scared people, and most gun nuts on here are like "oh, they didn't break the law, so what is the problem" as if that had anything to do with the way the action is perceived by people.
  • Fishbone345
    !
    I love how polls about Obama were generated and constructed with certain people being asked, but this poll is of course taken as absolute truth at face value.
    Some of the posters here crack me the hell up.
  • artjeb
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    I hunt with a shot gun & it knocks off a 185 lb deer easy. I hope it never happens but i can knock off a 185 lb man therefor why is it not called a assault weapon ?
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