GUNS AND TERROR MANAGEMENT THEORY: HOW EXPOSURE TO GUN VIOLENCE IN THE NEWS MEDIA AFFECTS ATTITUDES OF GUN ENDORSEMENT

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess people’s stances on gun endorsement types of exposure to gun violence in the news media following different . It was predicted that when conservatives and liberals were presented with a case of fatal gun violence that did not take place locally to them, they would continue to support their respective ownership. However, when p politically oriented beliefs of gun resented with a case of gun violence that took place locally, there would be an overall shift in belief towards endorsement of gun ownership despite present beliefs. Conservative and liberal participants either local fatal gun violence, non( n = local 100) were asked to read a news article that talke fatal d about gun violence, heart failure in young adults, or the effectiveness of cramming for exams views on gun endorsement. . They were then given a questionnaire that assessed their Contrary to predictions , there was no evidence to suggest that local incidents of gun violence caused a general shift towards gun endorsement. However, it was demonstrated that conservatives liberal s. reported stronger support for gun use and ownership than