Understanding Gun Possession Among Young Males

Study funded by the National Coalition on Gun Violence Research

Purpose

The primary goal of this study is to provide a contemporary understanding of gun possession among young males living in urban areas with high rates of gun violence.

Without an updated contemporary 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 will examine gun possession among young males aged 15-24 in four marginalized urban communities to gain a better understanding of gun possession from their perspective.  The sites and corresponding HBCU's are Wilmington, Delaware (Delaware State University); Houston, Texas (Texas Southern University); Baltimore, Maryland (Coppin State University); and Jackson, Mississippi (Jackson State University).

This project was initiated by and overseen by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents America's Black college community and provides a national perspective.

study design

The study is comprised of two phases:  
1) a quantitative secondary analysis of existing data sources; and,
2) a qualitative participant interview component.

research partners