The gun debate has become controversial and prominent in today's society. This study aimed to identify characteristics that determine whether an individual is in favor of gun rights or gun control. Specifically, we wanted to identify whether an internal or external locus of control is a predictor of attitudes toward gun laws. Locus of control refers to the degree to which individuals believe they can control events in their lives. Undergraduate students (N = 70) at Fort Lewis College were administered a survey containing the locus of control scale (Rotter, 1966) and a survey assessing their stance on gun control that was developed for this study. The results indicated that individuals with an external locus of control significantly favor stricter gun laws, while those with an internal locus are more strongly in favor of gun rights. This offers valuable insight into a popular political and cultural debate and the motivating factors for individual attitudes on the issue.
