Humanities and Social Sciences

Specifically, key professionals reported issues related to domestic violence gun control in their communities. We conducted phone and in-person surveys with a sample of community professionals (N = 133) working in victim services and the justice system in urban and Appalachian communities. Despite evidence of a strong gun culture in the rural communities, both urban and rural professionals estimated that about two-thirds of their community would support restricting abusers' firearm access. Additionally, rural professionals were more likely to show concern for abusers' Second Amendment rights when discussing unintended negative consequences of gun confiscation; urban professionals were more likely to point out that gun confiscation can provide a false sense of security for victims. Policy implications are discussed.

Topics in The American Sociologist include the uses of sociology in academic and nonacademic settings; training, placement, and career paths of sociologists; structural and ideological dimensions affecting the development of new perspectives in the discipline; the ethics of research, teaching, and practice; the application of sociological knowledge and methods in practical problems; the historical and interdisciplinary roots of sociological knowledge; and the contributions of sociologists to professional and public issues.

articles—each presenting both sides of an issue clearly, coherently, and without bias—made to inspire thought-provoking debates. Its straightforward presentation of the key facts, arguments, history, and current context of today’s most important and timely issues makes the database an ideal resource for research papers, debate preparation, and persuasive writing assignments.