Date of Award
5-1-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Education
First Advisor
George McClellan
Second Advisor
Phillis George
Third Advisor
Whitney Webb
School
University of Mississippi
Relational Format
dissertation/thesis
Abstract
Campus carry legislation remains one of the most contested higher education policy issues in the United States, particularly in states where concealed carry permit holders may legally carry firearms on public college campuses. Although prior research has included women as one of many demographics, there is a dearth of scholarship that focuses on college women exclusively to investigate their response to campus carry. This gap is concerning given documented gender differences in attitudes toward gun policy and the disproportionate impact of sexual violence and safety concerns on women in collegiate settings.
To fill a gap in the literature, the proposed qualitative study will explore the perceptions of women students enrolled at regional campuses of the University of Mississippi about the issue of concealed carry of handguns on their campus. These campuses primarily serve nontraditional student populations whose demographic profiles and lived experiences differ from those at the institution’s main campus. Guided by four research questions, the study will examine women students’ perceptions of campus carry, the extent to which their identities as women shape those perceptions, how their sense of safety informs their views, and whether campus carry influences their interactions with peers and faculty.
This study situates women’s perspectives within developmental and sociopolitical contexts. Its aim is to advance understanding of women students’ experiences of safety and autonomy and offer insights for institutional leaders, policymakers, and other stakeholders balancing campus carry and student well-being.
Recommended Citation
Christian, Daniel, "Right (Or Wrong) to Bear Arms: Regional-Campus Women Students' Perceptions of Campus Carry" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 8806.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/8806