"My gun doesn't shoot bullets, it shoots freedom"

Abstract

The controversy of the firearm in the United States has long been up for discussion, being the subject to many debates and studies, but how gun ownership and culture is experienced by owners and supporters is still up for elaborate research. We have analyzed publications and theories on guns and gun culture in the United States, preparatory to conducting qualitative research of our own. To answer our research question How do legitimate gun owners in Pensacola experience firearms as part of the American gun culture, and how is this connected to identity, fear, and politics? , we have conducted anthropological research in Pensacola, gathering data through in-depth interviews and participant observation at gun stores, shooting ranges and target practices. We have researched the way the gun is part of American culture, is represented in political debate, and how the gun can be used to recognize, embody, and deal with fear. We found that the gun is seen as normal, and signifies the freedom of the common people. There is a narrative connecting gun owners, and the gun debate is a metaphor for the division of power in American society. This thesis gives individuals a voice by building on their views and statements.