Gun culture is rooted in perceived vulnerability and distrust of government.

Evidence

Individuals in the gun subculture feel vulnerable to criminal victimization, are vigilant against potential threats to their safety, and are equipped to use lethal force in self-defense. They also distrust the government, which they perceive as scheming to take their guns away from them. With the Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller granting individual gun rights, gun advocates have little basis for fearing that the government will Bandura_1e_ch04.indd 197 confiscate all guns. — Albert Bandura, Moral Disengagement, 1340