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Shotguns and Firearms in the UK: A Call for a Distinctively Sociological Contribution to the Debate

Hillyard, S.; Burridge, J.

Shotguns and Firearms in the UK: A Call for a Distinctively Sociological Contribution to the Debate Thumbnail


Authors

S. Hillyard

J. Burridge



Abstract

The outcome of a UK government’s Home Affairs select committee’s discussion of the regulation of gun ownership called for reform. The impetus for the review was the shootings in Cumbria and Northumberland in 2010. This article challenges why the social science community has had little to say about the legal ownership and use of guns in the UK and argues that opportunities to shape the debate have been lost. This article demonstrates that there is a substantial knowledge base, but that this is ecological and environmental rather than political or sociological. It suggests that a distinctively sociological analysis is needed if the complexity of participation in shooting is to be understood. This article explores three specific aspects of the topic: (1) legal and policy aspects, (2) methodological issues and (3) the meaning and activity of participation in shooting. All are discussed critically as a means to stimulate sociological discussion.

Citation

Hillyard, S., & Burridge, J. (2012). Shotguns and Firearms in the UK: A Call for a Distinctively Sociological Contribution to the Debate. Sociology, 46(3), 395-410. https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511428753

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jun 12, 2012
Deposit Date Feb 2, 2012
Publicly Available Date Apr 17, 2014
Journal Sociology
Print ISSN 0038-0385
Electronic ISSN 1469-8684
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 46
Issue 3
Pages 395-410
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/0038038511428753
Keywords Country sports, Firearms, Shooting, Shotguns, Sociology.

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