Key points

Fear drives gun buying but raises suicide and homicide risk.

Shifting norms can reduce gun violence through shared values.

Building a safer future requires both structural change and cultural transformation.

Gun violence is not just a criminal justice issue—it’s a public health crisis and a human rights concern. Every year, more than 45,000 Americans die by firearms, with a majority of these deaths being suicides ( Pew Research Center, 2025 ). While public discourse often centers on legislation and politics , understanding the psychological underpinnings of gun violence reveals critical insights that can help shift our culture, policies, and community responses toward lasting solutions.

Psychological science has long examined the ways fear , identity , and social no

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