Respondents were given a list of possible reasons for using a gun in a crime and asked to indicate the degree of importance for each reason. Those who had used guns in crimes rated as the most important reason the intimidation of the victim so as to facilitate the commission of the crime. The second most important reason was to protect themselves against armed victims. Those who used weapons other than guns in the commission of crimes also selected these same motivations but assigned them lesser degrees of importance. Those who had not used guns in committing crimes gave as their reasons the likelihood that someone would get hurt and the increased sanctions attached to armed crimes. Overall, the most important reason for carrying a gun in crime commissions, for owning, and for carrying guns generally was for self-protection in an environment perceived as hostile and dangerous. 5 tables.