Views on global society and opinions on the right to possess firearms in Poland

Abstract

Purpose of research. The aim of the research is to determine which beliefs about the social world co-exist with a given view on the right to possess a firearm in Poland – more or less permissive (liberal).

 Methodology. The research group consisted of 109 people (74 women and 35 men) recruited by the snowball sampling method. The study was conducted by Internet; it consisted in completing the Social Conviction Questionnaire and answering questions about opinions on the right to possess firearms in Poland and on previous experiences with firearms.

 Results. Most of the results obtained are not consistent with predictions. However, it was found that as the level of social dominance orientation (SDO) increased, opinions on the right to possess firearms were on average more permissive. It has been detected that compared to women men have more permissive views about the right to firearms. Similarly, participants who have a relatrionship with people who have been granted the right of access to firearms express more permissive beliefs on the matter. Inhabitants of large cities exhibit more liberal cultural and economic beliefs, as well as weaker levels of right-wing authoritarianism than people living in smaller towns and villages. Among the items included in the SDO scale, two dimensions have been distinguished: Anti-Egalitarianism and Dominance (Opressiveness).

 Conclusions. The research is a part of an important ongoing study on firearms; provides knowledge about the motives of people reaching for such weapons and explains how they change under the influence of access to them. A significant limitation of the study is the way in which opinions on the right to firearms were checked (only one question was asked). In subsequent studies on similar beliefs, a broader perspective is worth considering.