Young Adults Fear Mass Shootings but Are Divided on Gun Control, University of Colorado Boulder Study Finds
A recent study from the University of Colorado Boulder reveals that while young adults fear mass shootings, their views on gun control are deeply divided along gender and political party lines. Contrary to the common assumption that mass violence might unite this influential voting bloc in favor of stricter gun laws, the research shows a growing polarization.
“This is a generation of people who live with significant fear and anxiety over mass violence,” said Jillian Turanovic, associate professor of sociology at the University of Colorado Boulder and senior author of the study. “But we found that those shared fears do not unite them in attitudes on gun policy. In fact, they polarize them.”
Growing Up in a Post-Columbine Era
The study focused on young adults who have grown up in a world shaped by the Columbine tragedy, 9/11, constant mass-shooting news coverage, social media, and lockdown drills. Previous national polls have suggested that this age group tends to be more liberal and generally supports gun restrictions more than older generations.
Turanovic and her colleagues sought to understand how fear of mass violence influences attitudes toward firearms within different segments of this generation.
Shared Anxiety, Divergent Views on Gun Control
Overall, young adults share significant anxiety about mass shootings and show a slight overall preference for gun control. The study found that more than 60 percent of young adults aged 18 to 29 worry that a mass shooting will impact their lives in some way, with about 17 percent worrying “a lot.”
However, when analyzing those with the highest levels of fear, the study uncovered stark divides along political and gender lines:
– Among young Democrats and women, greater fear of mass shootings correlates with stronger support for stricter gun control measures.
– Conversely, young men reporting higher fear levels are more likely to support expanded access to firearms.
– Similarly, Republicans and politically conservative young adults who express more fear tend to favor gun deregulation, viewing personal firearm ownership as a necessary response to rising violence.
Perspectives on Gun Safety and Policy
Participants in the study rated their fear of being a victim of a mass shooting at various public venues—including malls, stores, schools, bars, and nightclubs—on a scale from 1 (not at all) to 3 (a lot). They were also surveyed about their views on gun policy, with the findings including:
- 58% said owning a gun does not make a person safer
- 42% said owning a gun does make a person safer
- 32% believe guns should be permitted on college campuses
- 32% indicated that a permit should not be required to carry a gun in public
- 42% believe that gun control laws are unconstitutional
Political and Social Implications
The study’s findings carry significant political weight, given that by 2032, Millennials and Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) are expected to make up nearly half of the electorate. Mass shootings, though extremely rare—accounting for only about 1 percent of all gun deaths annually—dominate public discourse due to intense media coverage and the widely held assumption that shared public spaces ought to be safe.
“If fear of mass shootings continues to run high and these events continue to happen, it doesn’t look like we’re going to reach that consensus anytime soon,” Turanovic noted. She emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying fear itself, expressing hope that the data will serve as a wake-up call for policymakers to invest more in mental health support for this generation.
“Generational change alone will not resolve America’s gun policy debates,” she added.
About the Research
This collaborative study was conducted by scholars from the University of Colorado Boulder, Clemson University, and Florida State University. Its findings were published in the journal Social Science Quarterly.
https://www.cpr.org/2025/10/29/cu-boulder-study-mass-shooting-fears-gun-policy-polarization/
