Overconfidence and preferences for gun use: Evidence from six countries in the Americas

Overconfidence leads to risky behavior, including when people are around guns. Can overconfidence also be associated with attitudes about gun ownership and use? We evaluate this possibility by conducting nationally representative surveys in six countries in the Americas, including the United States. Results show that overconfident individuals are more willing to accept the use of guns and more likely to declare their willingness to use guns. These results indicate that overconfidence is a significant behavioral trait correlated with attitudes toward weapons handling, carrying, and use. Efforts to correct the biases of individuals confronted with making decisions about guns should be considered, especially in regulatory contexts.