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Research reveals veterans often favor more restrictive gun control legislation than civilians
LAWRENCE — Opinion remains divided regarding how guns should factor into American society, especially those weapons designed for military warfare. But what do actual soldiers think about this subject? The surprising answers are explored in a new article titled “How Do Veterans View Gun Policies? Evidence from the Guns in American Life Survey.” It appears in Social Science Quarterly.
KU Law students make 2022 honor roll for pro bono service
LAWRENCE – Forty-nine University of Kansas School of Law students contributed 2,721 hours of free legal services over the past year. Students prepared tax returns for low-income residents and drafted petitions for families seeking guardianship of their adult children with disabilities, among other services. These students include Kansans from Baxter Springs, Derby, Hays, Hesston, Kansas City, Lake Quivira, Leawood, Lenexa, McLouth, Manhattan, Olathe, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Shawnee, St. George, Spring Hill, Topeka and Wichita.
Full stories below.
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Contact: Jon Niccum, KU News Service, 785-864-7633, [email protected]
Research reveals veterans often favor more restrictive gun control legislation than civilians
LAWRENCE — Opinion remains divided regarding how guns should factor into American society, especially those weapons designed for military warfare.
But what do actual soldiers think about this subject?
The surprising answers are explored in a new article titled “How Do Veterans View Gun Policies? Evidence from the Guns in American Life Survey.” It appears in Social Science Quarterly.
“Many observers might expect veterans to be less supportive of gun control than other Americans, since they are relatively conservative in terms of political identity,” said Margaret Kelley, professor of American studies at the University of Kansas.
“On average, vets — primarily those who have experienced combat — tend to be more receptive to some forms of gun control, such as restrictions on civilian access to military-style semiautomatic rifles and so-called ‘high-capacity’ magazines. They are also open to an extended waiting period of up to 14 days for the purchase of new handguns,” she said.
Co-written with Christopher Ellison and Pablo Gonzalez of the University of Texas at San Antonio and David Leal of the University of Texas, the article utilizes data gathered from Kelley and Ellison’s Guns in American Life Survey of 2018. This Qualtrics-run survey featuring input from more than 3,000 respondents explores numerous considerations that shape experiences and attitudes concerning firearms.
“The survey had lots of questions about gun experiences and lifestyles, social attitudes and firearm policy preferences, and it took about 30 minutes to complete online,” said Kelley, who noted the assessment is unique due to the amount of female gun owners involved.
Her article discusses how guns are fundamentally “demystified” for those in the military, which may account for their being perceived more as a tool than as an object of empowerment.
“Demystified means, among other things, setting aside the politics of guns and allowing someone to focus on gaining practical knowledge and becoming a competent user,” she said.
“Soldiers learn at least the basics about firearms when they enlist, even if their service does not require regular use or combat. Veterans leave service with vastly different experiences, but this minimum training is ensured. While it is recommended by firearms instructors that gun owners practice and seek out training on an ongoing basis, civilians are not required by law to do so,” she said.
Kelley found several factors accounting for why veterans were more prone to embrace certain rifle/magazine bans and extended waiting periods.
“While they support these limits, combat veterans also tend to be more supportive of expanded gun-carrying rights for civilians, including what is called ‘constitutional carry’ — or permit-less — that we have in Kansas and a growing number of other states,” she said.
Although the reasons for this seeming paradox are unclear, Kelley speculated that significant numbers of veterans may see public safety benefits to restricting widespread civilian access to powerful, highly destructive weapons, at least without proper vetting.
“At the same time, it is likely that they have learned, witnessed and practiced the safe and responsible carrying of firearms,” she said. “They have also put their lives on the line to defend America and our Constitution, including the Second Amendment. They may be reluctant to surrender those rights upon returning to civilian life.”
Now in her seventh year at KU, Kelley is not a military veteran, but her father was.
“My dad was drafted into the Army and stationed in Germany for two years, followed by six years in the reserves. As kids, we used to sleep in his Army-issued pup tent in the backyard until it finally fell apart. It wasn’t until after he died that I learned he earned sharpshooter qualification in the Army,” she said.
The professor is tapping her Guns in American Life Survey research for a larger book project specifically focusing on the average woman firearm owner in middle America.
So why do Americans love guns so much?
“I think we have to ask, ‘Why do some Americans love guns so much?’” she said.
“Some Americans love guns, and some hate them. Some connect them to individual freedom, and others are more interested in the sport of guns. Others believe we should get rid of all guns. Concerns about self-defense can be universal, meaning that anyone can have that need, and increasing numbers of people are acquiring guns for that reason.
There are just so many narratives. From some of my research, I would say that for most owners, guns are just one part of life, not a core identity, and not something they love but something they value.”
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Contact: Sydney Halas, School of Law, 785-864-2338, [email protected], @kulawschool
KU Law students make 2022 honor roll for pro bono service
LAWRENCE – Forty-nine University of Kansas School of Law students contributed 2,721 hours of free legal services over the past year.
Students prepared tax returns for low-income residents, represented individuals in the KU Court of Parking Appeals, drafted petitions for families seeking guardianship of their adult children with disabilities and worked with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, prosecutors’ offices and public defenders’ offices.
“Lawyers have a responsibility to perform pro bono service and promote access to justice,” said Meredith Schnug, clinical associate professor and chair of KU Law’s Pro Bono Committee. “We are so proud of KU Law students for being committed to pro bono service and making a difference in their communities.”
Pro bono work is defined as uncompensated, law-related work that benefits the public, such as through a nonprofit organization or government agency.
Nine KU Law students participated in a new pro bono guardianship project last fall. Carly Booth, L’06, set the new project in motion, modeling it after a previously existing, similar program that KU Law students volunteered for in Wichita. Students worked with local agencies to provide services in adult guardianship cases for families.
“As a mom of three boys, I understand intimately the level of concern you can have for a vulnerable loved one,” said Caitlin McPartland, a first-year student who volunteered for the project. “And I now better understand how the complexity of the legal system inhibits so many people from accessing it. Participating in this project gave me an intimate glimpse of the emotional rewards I will find from being a lawyer in the Kansas City area, and because of my experience, I am looking forward to the future more than ever.”
Forty students completed 15 hours or more of pro bono service during the 2021-2022 academic year, earning a spot on KU Law’s Pro Bono Honor Roll. Kansas students are listed by name, graduation year and hometown below, while the full list of students is available online.
1. Doug Bartel, Class of 2023, Olathe
2. Chad Cook, Class of 2024, Spring Hill
3. Samuel Crowley, Class of 2024, Hays
4. Katelyn Girod, Class of 2023, Overland Park
5. Shannon Greene, Class of 2024, McLouth
6. Rachel Henderson, Class of 2024, Wichita
7. Steven Hendler, Class of 2023, Leawood
8. Sophia Leonard, Class of 2024, Lake Quivira
9. Amanda McElfresh, Class of 2023, St. George
10. Caitlin McPartland, Class of 2024, Prairie Village
11. Lindsay McQuinn, Class of 2023, Shawnee
12. Audrey Nelson, Class of 2022, Prairie Village
13. Stephany Rohleder, Class of 2022, Topeka
14. Toni Ruo, Class of 2023, Shawnee
15. Riley Schumacher, Class of 2022, Olathe
16. Ashlyn Shultz, Class of 2022, Manhattan
17. Andrew Tague, Class of 2022, Topeka
18. Alden Vogel, Class of 2024, Lenexa
In addition, 28 students were honored with Pro Bono Distinction for completing 50 hours or more of pro bono service throughout their law school career. Collectively, members of the Class of 2022 completed 4,923 hours of pro bono service.
Students who received Pro Bono Distinction were honored during the law school’s Hooding Ceremony on May 14. Kansas students recognized with Pro Bono Distinction:
1. Ethan Crockett, Class of 2022, Baxter Springs
2. Alec Feather, Class of 2022, Overland Park
3. Rachel Highsmith, Class of 2022, Hesston
4. Chloe Ketchmark, Class of 2022, Overland Park
5. Katherine Lenson, Class of 2022, Overland Park
6. Cathryn Lind, Class of 2022, Derby
7. Audrey Nelson, Class of 2022, Prairie Village
8. Stephany Rohleder, Class of 2022, Topeka
9. Olivia Ruschill, Class of 2022, Shawnee
10. Riley Schumacher, Class of 2022, Olathe
11. Grace Seger, Class of 2022, Olathe
12. Kendra Stacey, Class of 2022, Kansas City, Kansas
13. Abigail Weber, Class of 2022, Olathe.
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