Date of Award

Spring 5-2022

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

School

Education

Committee Chair

Kyna Shelley

Committee Chair School

Education

Committee Member 2

Lilian Hill

Committee Member 2 School

Education

Committee Member 3

Thomas Lipscomb

Committee Member 3 School

Education

Committee Member 4

Richard Mohn

Committee Member 4 School

Education

Abstract

The concealed carrying of firearms is a polarizing subject. In general, the political left would like to see more restrictive gun laws, whereas the political right would like to see less restrictive guns laws. Research of this also seems politically biased. While one researcher will use data that show violent crime increases with more restrictive gun laws, another researcher will use logic to dictate that less guns means less violence. University campuses are generally considered a liberal environment. However, Mississippi has been one of the two most conservative states since the 1930s. This research examines the attitudes of faculty at Mississippi universities regarding concealed-carry through the lens of their political preferences.

Through this dissertation, evidence is offered that a simple concept of gun control may not be best legislated through a ubiquitous framework. This research reviews the university campus and its purpose in order to explore the reasonableness to allow the concealed carrying of firearms as reviewed through the attitudes of the faculty. Lastly, this research reviews the polices and laws to make a recommendation during the development phases of each.

ORCID ID

0000-0003-4911-4263

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