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.

  • justabigemptyhole@lemmy.world
    1311·
    8 months ago

    I have a problem with being compared to vermin for the rifle that sits unloaded in a safe until I take it to the range

    • Katana314@lemmy.worldEnglish
      175·
      8 months ago

      I have a problem with living near a AR-15 owner and rolling the dice about how honestly responsible every member of their household is, but it seems like neither of us is getting a simple solution.

      Every parent of every school shooter would also claim to be a responsible gun owner. Who wouldn’t?

      • justabigemptyhole@lemmy.world
        322·
        8 months ago

        Yea I really don’t care if you’re “rolling the dice.” Laughable hyperbole. Most people are demonstrably unsafe drivers, but I don’t revel in imaginary victimhood and try to take people’s cars away. As a great man once said, “Life sucks, get a fucking helmet.” Or in your case, a plate carrier. I’m going to keep stacking ammo and guns and not shoot anyone, not because murder is wrong, but out of spite for anti-gunners. Anyway Trump sucks. Hail Satan.

        • Katana314@lemmy.worldEnglish
          171·
          8 months ago

          “Not caring” about other people’s safety is definitely characteristic of gun owners, so full consistency there.

          • yuri@pawb.social
            2·
            8 months ago

            Same with the fucken “Most people are demonstrably unsafe drivers”. Shit REEKS of self aggrandizement, but then again most conservatives seem to anymore.

          • justabigemptyhole@lemmy.world
            1·
            8 months ago

            You should get out and meet people and see the full spectrum there is, instead of wasting your razor sharp wits on the internet. I think you’d be surprised to find the cartoonish spectres you conjure to rail against are hard to find.

    • tacosplease@lemmy.world
      94·
      8 months ago

      In the comparison above, the rifles would be the rats… not you.

      I haven’t seen a single rifle say it was offended by that statement.

    • Ballistic_86@lemmy.world
      31·
      8 months ago

      While it sounds like you safely own a firearm, letting you do that means we let mentally ill people, irresponsible parents, and whoever feels like also have access.

      Sorry to say, but I would take your guns away from you 1000x if it meant taking them away from people who cannot own them safely.