What does this research mean for the field?

The United States has the highest rate of gun violence among developed nations, with more guns than people. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.SUPPORTS_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine America’s unique relationship with gun ownership and violence in a global context.

February 27, 2026

America’s Obsession with Guns

Key Points

To examine America’s unique relationship with gun ownership and violence in a global context.
Comparative analysis of gun violence rates across countries
Review of cultural attitudes towards guns in honor cultures
Utilization of data from the 2018 Small Arms Survey
United States has the highest rate of gun violence among developed nations
America possesses more guns than people
Other cultures also link guns to masculinity and honor, particularly in the Near East

Abstract

America is not the only culture obsessed with guns—many Near Eastern cultures also prize them as possessions associated with masculinity. This attitude seems related to “honor cultures.” Although Brazil has the highest number of gun deaths, the United States has the highest rate of gun violence among developed nations and more guns than people, as per the 2018 Small Arms Survey (this is part of an independent research project at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, https://smallarmssurvey.org/).

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America’s Obsession with Guns

Key Points

Abstract

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