Hunting and Gun Ownership

Hunting is one of America’s oldest pastimes, considered a part of American identity and a way of connecting with the natural world. The practice is also connected to a range of other issues, including wildlife conservation, indigenous rights, animal welfare, and gun violence. This collection of articles showcases the ample contributions of sportsmanship to American life, while also exploring the sometimes destructive role it can play. As attitudes change, amid a reassessment of big game hunting overseas and gun violence at home, an understanding of hunting’s unique social role becomes especially important. Media literacy terms and questions invite readers to carefully consider how reporting of the topic has developed over time.