Guns and Masculinities

Machismo

Pioneers: Provisioning and Protecting

Cowboys: Strength, Independence, Self-Sufficiency

Soldiers of the State: Strength, Courage, Discipline, Service

Protesters: All of the above values, exerted on behalf of vulnerable communities often in reaction to institutional power (government)
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References:

GUNS and GENDER  
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•www.cnn.com/2013/09/16/us/20-deadliest-mass-shootings-in-u-s-history-fast-facts/index.html, retrieved on April 30, 2018
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•www.voanews.com/a/list-of-us-mass-shootings/4255503.html, retrieved on May 2, 2018
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•www.libertyfrontpress.com/gun-violence-in-America-explained-in-17-maps-and-charts/, retrieved on May 4, 2018
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•www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/suicide-in-the-us-statistics-and-prevention/index.shtm).retrived on May 5, 2018

Women are changing the views in society on the use and purchases of guns in America.

Guns becoming a part of women's culture:

In American culture women have been fighting their rights for equality. Throughout the years, women have accomplished a lot due to the significant amount of work that was framed through the feminist movement. I have found that the use of women carrying, and owning a gun symbolizes a deeper message. The message behind a women holding a gun expresses social justice between the 2 genders males vs female. The feminist movement has opened doors for women to achieve equality in society. The rights behind women in participating in military have really impacted the strong stigma of women's views on guns. As americans we have the right according to the 2nd amendment to bear arms, of course in other words own a gun. At the time this amendment socially implied, for only men. On the other hand, as women began to participate in the military this then decreased the huge stigma of women being able to carry and own guns. According to the National Women's History project, it took 100 plus years to finally get women the right to serve in combat which allows women the use of a guns and many other weapons nessesarry. As seen below is timeline showing the progress of women entering military. The timeline points out that it wasnt till 1993 that congress finally authorized women the right to serve on combat ships for duty. 

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While the rise of women in military was happening so was the rise in media favoring the image of women and guns. According to the smith article it has stated that, "Gun ownership among women increased by 53% from 1983-1986". The findings from this article says media has been a huge impact on women owning guns. Gun manufactures within this time period were actually drawing female customers by providing guns designed for women. The smith and Wesson have even had there products advertised in many women magazines. 
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Smith, T., & Smith, R. (1995). Changes in Firearms Ownership among Women, 1980-1994. The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (1973-), 86(1), 133-149. doi:10.2307/1144003

Women's Political Views on Guns

womens political views on guns

Political views on guns have affect the way people vote. Statistics have shown the differences. below are findings that were found from the women and guns project from mariclear.com who partnered with the Harvard Injury Control Research Center. (HICRC)

• 62 percent of women say laws governing gun sales should be stricter. 29 percent think the laws are fine as they are, and 8 percent say they should be less strict.
• 63 percent of women want gun laws to be a major topic in the coming presidential debates.
• 51 percent of women would vote for a political candidate who vowed to push for gun control. 47 percent wouldn't.
• 51 percent of women want the next president to take action about guns, including 25 percent advocating for tougher gun control and 14 percent asking for better background checks and mental health screenings.
  

The MarieClaire.com and Harvard Injury Control Research Center Survey on Women and Guns in America. Retrieved from
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http://www.marieclaire.com/politics/news/a18431/harvard-survey-women-and-guns/