Using virtual reality to understand gun owner decision-making.

Background: Nearly 70% of gun owners support requiring concealed carry license applicants to pass a test demonstrating safe and lawful weapon use. However, many states are removing training requirements and gun owners' behaviors and decision-making are under-examined. We sought to assess whether virtual reality (VR) could provide insight into these elements in the context of public carrying. Methods: We created a novel VR system with a practice-focused firing range and two public-space scenarios involving (1) alleged shoplifting and (2) armed robbery. Participants completed scenarios in random order, then participated in a semi-structured debriefing interview which explored actions and decisions within the scenarios, impressions of system mechanics, and perceived realism. Interviews were audio recorded, professionally transcribed, and inductively coded to identify themes. Results: Ten gun owners completed the study. In both scenarios, participants reported wanting to avoid weapon use to prevent escalating tensions. In the robbery scenario, intentions to intervene were notably dependent on perceived risk of physical harm to self or others. Although participants described some mechanical distractions related to holster non-visibility and an underweighted mock handgun, all stated their behaviors represented real-life behavioral intentions. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first immersive VR system to test gun owners' behaviors and decision-making in public carrying situations. Participants' gun use was influenced by non-player characters' actions and the presence of another gun. These findings suggest VR may create meaningful and low-risk environments for teaching or evaluating safe public carrying if firing range or other training access is limited.