Weapon Effect: Gun Carrying and Aggression

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Introduction

The problem of weapon development and use in the modern world does not stop the discussion whether arm race contributes to the violence in the world or not. There are a lot of different points of view which either contradict or develop this idea.

Some scholars, politicians and military representatives agree that the mere presence of weapon can increase violence and aggression in the world, however, there is a contradicting opinion which states that weapon serves as the calming down device.

Guns can be used as instruments of destruction or protection. From a psychosocial perspective, it is beneficial to understand that guns do not necessarily influence the aggressive behavior of those who use them. Whereby, there is a position that guns can possibly increase the aggressive nature of a human being.

Even though most people agree on the idea that gun possession makes people more aggressive, gun carrying has nothing to do with behavior which is based on particular situations and human reasoning caused by specific events which are the reasons for gun carrying and aggression.

A Discussion of the Evidence and Research on Weapon Effect

Gun passion at schools has become a norm and in many cases it is explained not by the personal behavior of students, but by the surrounding school environment (Wilcox, & Clayton, 2001). Much research has been conducted in the sphere, however, the common opinion has not been reached.

The discussion has been divided into two points of view that weapon is the supportive factor for aggression and violence and the weapon possession does not affect this aspect of human behavior.

Dwelling upon aggression Adachi and Willoughby (2011) state that weapon does not influence human aggression likes video games do.

Video games are aimed at increasing the competition and in case a person loses for several times, the feelings of aggression and the desire to act violently affect human behavior. Still, this opinion is more likely to be personal without being supported with the opposing facts.

The fear-and-victimization hypothesis by Wilcox, May, and Roberts (2006) has shown that the primary purpose of students gun carrying is the fear of aggression and violence at school.

The weapon is used as the protection. As a result, students are not afraid and it negatively affects their consideration of the surrounding world and danger perception. Thus, students are more presupposed to appear in the risky situations when they are to act more aggressively as they world in case of weapon absence.

Nagtegaal, Rassin, and Muris (2009) have conducted a research based on human opinion that those who work in the military sphere are more aggressive. The research has shown that those who use guns are less aggressive. It is a proven fact that people need to spread their aggression.

While using guns, people do it successfully and they do not need to do it in the every day life. Additionally, Myers, McGrady, Marrow, and Mueller (1997) have proved that adolescents themselves consider gun possession as the protection necessity dictated by the environment rather than by the desire for aggressive behavior.

The analysis of 2,000 accidents with the purpose to understand the relation between gun possession and the ability to conduct a crime shows that the gun possession does not impact greatly the desire to conduct an act of crime. However, the versa effect is observed when people are intended to conduct a crime and in this case they search for a gun (Wells, & Horney, 2002).

Directions for Future Research and/or Advocacy Needs

The further research should be conducted on the basis of the literature review to show that the aggression is aroused by the particular situations and actions and is the cause of gun possession than vice versa. It is important to check the public opinion for comparison and contrast purposes.

The further research should be based on the discussion of the criminal cases with the use of the weapon and the personal analysis of those who conducted crimes. The personal characteristics are important in this case along with the reflection of friends and relatives about these people.

The time when the gun was bought and the time of the crime conduction should be considered as well as the reasons for the crime to make sure that all the aspects for drawing conclusions are gathered. The cases should be randomly chosen.

Reference List

Adachi, P. C., & Willoughby, T. (2011). The effect of video game competition and violence on aggressive behavior: Which characteristic has the greatest influence? Psychology of Violence, 1(4), 259-274.

Myers, G. P. McGrady, G. A., Marrow, C., & Mueller, C. W. (1997). Weapon carrying among Black adolescents: A social network perspective. American Journal of Public Health, 87(6), 1038-1040.

Nagtegaal, M., Rassin, E., & Muris, P. M. (2009). Do members of shooting association display higher levels of aggression? Psychology, Crime & Law, 15(4), 313-325.

Wells, W, &Horney, J. (2002). Weapon effects and individual intent to do harm: Influences on the escalation of violence. Criminology, 40(2), 265-296.

Wilcox, P., & Clayton, R. R. (2001). A multilevel analysis of school-based weapon possession. Justice Quarterly, 18(3), 509-539.

Wilcox, P., May, D. C., Roberts, S. D. (2006). Student Weapon Possession and the Fear and Victimization Hypothesis: Unraveling the Temporal order. Justice Quarterly, 23(4), 502-529.

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Weapon Effect: Gun Carrying and Aggression

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