U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Situational Role of Firearms in Violent Encounters, Final Report
NCJ Number
              195796

Author(s)
          William Wells Ph.D.
Date Published

2001
Length
              226 pages
Annotation
              This study examines the argument that the presence of a firearm in an assault increases the probability that lethal injuries will occur, independent of the gun user's intentions.
Abstract
              The theoretical framework is grounded in the social interactionist perspective and coercive action theory. Social interactionism stresses the importance of personal variables and situational factors in the study of violent encounters, rather than emphasizing the importance of one over the other. Coercive action theory identifies the important factors that affect individual decisionmaking processes in conflict situations. This study used self-reported data from 547 newly incarcerated male offenders in Nebraska to examine the independent effects of weapons in violent and potentially violent episodes. The propositions associated with coercive action theory predict that guns provide people with power that permits them to carry out their intentions. The findings do not support the expectation that gun effects depend on whether or not the possessor/user intends to seriously injure an opponent. The effects of guns on the outcomes of violent events may be confounded with the effects of individual intentions because those with the strongest motivation to injure may choose a more "serious" weapon. Results indicate that, net of personal influences, the independent effects of guns are not radically different when situation-specific intentions are controlled than when intentions are not controlled. Situation-specific intentions to injure significantly increase the changes that a respondent will attack his opponent, that a respondent will injure his opponent, and that a respondent will seriously injure his opponent. The relationship between an individual's intentions to seriously injure and an individual's choice of weapon must be examined further. The hypothesis that gun possession and gun attacks independently increase the chances of violence is partially supported. Gunshot attacks significantly increase the probability that inflicted injures will be severe rather than minor. While gun possession increase the probability that the possessor will attack his opponent, a gunshot is significantly less likely to injure its target than other forms of attack. 5 figures, 12 tables, 2 appendixes, 71 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        99-IJ-CX-0004


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Theoretical)
    
  
  
Date Published: January 1, 2001
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Assault weapons
        Crime causes
        Criminal intent
        Firearm-crime relationships
        Firearms



  
Similar Publications
        
                      A Longitudinal Assessment of Head Injuries as a Source of Acquired Neuropsychological Deficits and the Implications for Criminal Persistence
                  Two-year review of firearm-related DNA casework evidence: A triage process to improve quality and efficiency
                  The Relation Between State Gun Laws and the Incidence and Severity of Mass Public Shootings in the United States, 1976-2018
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov