Shooting Movies: Effects of Gun and Firearm Exposure in Popular Films on Gun Use Self-Efficacy and Gun Attitudes/Beliefs

Lapierre, Matthew A.; Sada Garibay, Cecilia

doi:10.1177/10776990251331624

Shooting Movies: Effects of Gun and Firearm Exposure in Popular Films on Gun Use Self-Efficacy and Gun Attitudes/Beliefs

Journal

Journalism and Mass Communication Quarterly

ISSN

1077-6990

2161-430X

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Date Issued

2025

Author(s)

Lapierre, Matthew A.

Sada Garibay, Cecilia

Escuela de Comunicación - CampCM

Type

text::journal::journal article

DOI

10.1177/10776990251331624

URL

https://scripta.up.edu.mx/handle/20.500.12552/12178

Abstract

Gun violence in the United States is a public health crisis with debates raging about the role of guns in American society. The current study examined how exposure to guns in movies may shape attitudes/beliefs about guns and the mediating role of gun use self-efficacy as a potential mechanism for effects, using a retrospective survey with 612 undergraduates. Increased exposure to guns in movies was correlated with less support for gun control and stronger beliefs that guns make society safer. Importantly, gun use self-efficacy was a significant mediator between movie exposure and gun control. © The authors © SAGE.

Subjects

Guns and Firearms

Films

License

Acceso Restringido

URL License

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

How to cite

Lapierre, M. A., & Sada Garibay, C. (2025). Shooting Movies: Effects of Gun and Firearm Exposure in Popular Films on Gun Use Self-Efficacy and Gun Attitudes/Beliefs. Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly. https://doi.org/10.1177/10776990251331624