A new study has found that Americans, including traditionally pro-gun groups, are averse to living near AR-15 owners and neighbors who store guns insecurely. This consensus highlights potential local-level agreement on gun safety practices.

A recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that across all political and social groups in the United States, there is a strong preference against living near AR-15 rifle owners and neighbors who store guns outside of locked safes. This surprising consensus suggests that when it comes to immediate living environments, Americans’ views on gun control may be less divided than the polarized national debate suggests.

The research was conducted against a backdrop of increasing gun violence and polarization on gun policy in the United States. The United States has over 350 million civilian firearms and gun-related incidents, including accidents and mass shootings, have become a leading cause of death in the country. Despite political divides, the new study aimed to explore whether there’s common ground among Americans in their immediate living environments, focusing on neighborhood preferences related to gun ownership and storage.

  • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
    0·
    6 months ago

    Why’s the one on top “scarier?”

    Because of the type of people more likely to buy the one at the top.

    I’m not sure why people like you don’t understand that. It’s not the gun, it’s the sort of people buying it.

    And if you are an AR-15 owner and don’t like who the gun is associated with, I’m sorry. You don’t get to choose how society judges things, whether or not it is fair.

    • Frog-Brawler@kbin.social
      0·
      6 months ago

      Because of the type of people more likely to buy the one at the top.

      Who’s that?

      You don’t get to choose how society judges things, whether or not it is fair.

      Are you saying that a study with a self-selection bias of participants that specifically use MTurk, that has 3 comparative subjects (no gun, pistol, AR) for comparison is indicative of societal perspective?

      • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
        0·
        6 months ago

        You know exactly who I am talking about. You don’t live under a rock, I’m sure. Don’t pretend and play coy. I’m not going to play that game with you.

        • Frog-Brawler@kbin.social
          0·
          6 months ago

          So now you’re going to defend your own ignorant statement with, “I should know better?” You should not make blanket assumptions about who owns what. I think you are living under a rock.

          • Flying Squid@lemmy.world
            0·
            6 months ago

            Fine. I’ll play your game this once, but do you really need it spelled out to you that the AR-15 and other rifles designed to look like military weapons even though they aren’t is what society associates with right-wing assholes who are ready to shoot up those durn libruls and queers?

            Whether you think it’s a fair association or not is irrelevant. That’s what a large segment of the population associates that gun with, including many gun owners.

            Bitch about it all you want, them’s the breaks.

            Now, any more silly game-playing you want to do?

            • Frog-Brawler@kbin.social
              0·
              6 months ago

              Fine. I’ll play your game this once, but do you really need it spelled out to you that the AR-15 and other rifles designed to look like military weapons even though they aren’t is what society associates with right-wing assholes who are ready to shoot up those durn libruls and queers?

              I despise games, but I despise ignorant bullshit more. I don’t want to play games with you. The AR-15 is a popular choice among rifle owners in the US typically because of the availability of parts and ammo… that’s the main reason. It can accommodate both 5.56 and .223, so again, if you’re actually keeping one around to protect yourself against ______ (fill in the blank) you’ll have a better chance at acquiring ammo.

              I’m the polar opposite of a right-wing asshole (the asshole part may still hold), but if more ARs and AR parts are being produced, it’s simply a matter of practicality in the long-term.

              Whether you think it’s a fair association or not is irrelevant. That’s what a large segment of the population associates that gun with, including many gun owners.

              Fair association? What the fuck are you talking about? I could give a fuck about perceptions, but assuming that everyone that owns an AR is a right-winger is dumb. I don’t think YOU get to speak for a large segment of the population; you simply speak for yourself.