Researchers have quashed the theory that men who are unhappy with their penis size are more likely to own guns.

A study, carried out by sociologists at the University of Texas at San Antonio, found that men who are satisfied with the size of their genitals are more likely to own firearms, suggesting that the long-standing assumption linking insecurity over penis size to gun ownership may be inaccurate.

"Guns are clearly phallic symbols. Guns are clearly associated with masculinity," the study authors wrote. "However, in our analyses, penis size dissatisfaction is unrelated to mental health. The psychosexual theory of gun ownership consistently fails in its assertion that men who have trouble with their penises or are dissatisfied with their penises are especially likely to acquire guns as a means of compensation."

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the 2023 Masculinity, Sexual Health, and Politics survey, using a sample size of 1,840 men aged 18 and over in the United States. Newsweek has contacted the authors for comment.

A stock photo of a man examining his genitals. Researchers have quashed the theory that men who are unhappy with their penis size are more likely to own guns. A stock photo of a man examining his genitals. Researchers have quashed the theory that men who are unhappy with their penis size are more likely to own guns. Getty Images

Study participants were asked to rate their satisfaction with their penis size when fully erect and whether they had ever used methods for penis enlargement.

The men were also asked if they owned any guns or military-style rifles, and if so, the total number of guns they possessed.

The findings showed that 43 percent of men reported owning a gun, with 11 percent owning military-style rifles, and only 7 percent of men had attempted some form of penis enlargement.

Contrary to popular opinion, the team found that men who were less dissatisfied with their penis size—in other words, who were content with their penises—were more likely to own guns.

Specifically, each unit increase in penis size dissatisfaction corresponded to an 11 percent decrease in the likelihood of owning any gun. It was also linked to a 20 percent lower chance of owning a military-style rifle.

A stock photo of a man holding a weapon. Straight men and obese men are more likely to have guns, researchers have found. A stock photo of a man holding a weapon. Straight men and obese men are more likely to have guns, researchers have found. Antonio Diaz/Getty Images

The association between penis size dissatisfaction and gun ownership was strongest among men aged 18 to 29 and 45 to 59, the study found. It was weakest among men aged 60 and older.

Other factors were associated with gun ownership, the study showed. Straight men and obese men were found to be more likely to own guns. Men who live in the South—and those who identified with traditional masculine traits—were also found to be more likely to own guns.

The full findings of the study were published in the American Journal of Men's Health.

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