A Bulwark against Tyranny? Fear of the Government and Fear-based Gun Purchasing in Recent Years

Abstract

Abstract Guns are a central aspect of violence in the United States. A growing body of research seeks to understand social and psychological factors motivating gun ownership, with the concept of fear occupying an important place in this literature. Relying on multiple waves of recent, nationally representative survey data (2015–2021; N=4,767), I argue that fear of the government (e.g., fear of government corruption, overreach, and surveillance) is a primary motivator of gun acquisition and ownership in the United States. Multivariable regression analyses showed that fear of the government has a strong, positive association with purchasing a gun because of one’s fears, controlling for fear of crime, fear of societal instability, and a host of political and sociodemographic characteristics. This association was not contingent on other types of fear, suggesting that fear of the government itself represents a unique, perceived threat among fear-motivated gun owners – one which is distinct from simply lacking confidence in government protection against external threats. Analyses that explored changes over time showed that rising fear of the government among the U.S. public may underlie a substantial portion of increased fear-based gun purchases in recent years. Implications and opportunities for future research are discussed.