To understand gun possession among young males living in urban areas with high rates of gun violence.

Without an understanding of why young males choose to possess guns, how they view guns, and what their trigger points are – gathered from within their community – strategies to root out gun violence cannot target the true factors that lead to this violence. This multi-site study examines gun possession among 15-24 year old young men in four marginalized urban communities to gain a better understanding of gun possession from their perspective.

The sites and corresponding university leads are Houston, Texas (Texas Southern University), Wilmington, Delaware (Delaware State University); Baltimore, Maryland (Coppin State University); and Jackson, Mississippi (Jackson State University).

This project was funded by the National Collaborative on Gun Violence Research and overseen by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.