This chapter explores the symbolic dimensions of guns among the the Catalina youths—at Catalina Mountain School in Tucson, Arizona. The chapter sets forth nineteen primary meanings associated with guns and youths' gun carrying. The primary meanings are the spontaneous, unfiltered first reactions, the immediate thought that comes to mind when a youth sees a gun. These primary meanings were looked for through a probing of the thirty Catalina youths, which involved experimenting with their immediate reactions, listening carefully to their words, watching their expressions. In order to get as...

This chapter explores the symbolic dimensions of guns among the the Catalina youths—at Catalina Mountain School in Tucson, Arizona. The chapter sets forth nineteen primary meanings associated with guns and youths' gun carrying. The primary meanings are the spontaneous, unfiltered first reactions, the immediate thought that comes to mind when a youth sees a gun. These primary meanings were looked for through a probing of the thirty Catalina youths, which involved experimenting with their immediate reactions, listening carefully to their words, watching their expressions. In order to get as close as possible, three pictures of guns were used—two semiautomatics and a classic revolver—and free-association prompts were offered. “What are you thinking?” “What experiences do these guns remind you of?” “What do these guns make you think of?” The very first response, the immediate utterance, is what constitutes the primary association. And the interviews reveal a wide range of primary meanings.