What's Under the Regalia? An Examination of Campus Concealed Weapon Carrying Behavior and Attitudes toward Policies. (3rd April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hayes, Brittany E.; Powers, Ráchael A.; O'Neal, Eryn Nicole
• Is Part Of: Journal of school violence. Volume 20:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 101
• Page End: 113
• Publication Date: 2021-04-03
• Subjects: Campus carry -- concealed weapon -- attitudes -- behaviors; School violence -- Prevention -- Periodicals; School environment -- Periodicals; 371.78205
• DOI: 10.1080/15388220.2020.1839475
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1538-8220

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The current study aims to examine and compare predictors of attitudinal support for campus carry and concealed carrying behaviors on a campus where faculty, staff, and students can legally carry a weapon. This explores the relationship between attitudes and behaviors as it relates to concealed weapons on campuses. Whereas attitudinal correlates conformed to prior literature, these correlates were not equally predictive of behavior. Respondents' gender and if they voted for the 2016 Republican nominee predicted support for campus carry and concealed carrying behavior. When controlling for attitudes toward campus carry, voting behavior no longer predicted behavior. However, perceptions of police effectiveness were inversely related to carrying behavior. Although findings suggest that campus carry attitudes and concealed carry behaviors overlap, attitudinal support for campus carry is not wholly an adequate proxy for behavior. These findings suggest that improving perceptions of campuses' ability to ensure student safety may influence carrying behavior.