RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM, PUNITIVENESS, AND FIREARMS OWNERSHIP

Abstract

ABSTRACT Previous research finds links between religious fundamentalism and punitiveness and between punitiveness and gun ownership. Utilizing 1988 NORC General Social Survey data, this research tests the idea that religious fundamentalism is related to both religious and civil punitiveness and that such punitive orientations increase the likelihood of firearm ownership. The results suggest that the influence of religion on punitiveness varies by race. We find that religious punitiveness is associated with gun ownership among African Americans while civil punitiveness is associated with such ownership among whites. The results are attributed to the differential roles of religion in the lives of African Americans and White Americans.