The survey used an anonymous format, the random digit dialed telephone survey. Interviews were conducted with a nationally representative sample of adults 18 years of age and older between February and April 1993. The survey focused on defensive gun use and punitive attitudes of citizens toward criminals. Findings suggested persons using guns for self-defense did not have extremely punitive attitudes toward criminals. Gun defenders did not appear to be "lone vigilantes" bent on retribution and punishment of criminals. Defensive gun use was primarily for self-protection rather than for the purpose of committing a punitive or aggressive act. Nonetheless, findings indicated some mild indirect effects of punitive attitudes on defense gun use through gun ownership. Further research is recommended to explore the issue of causal order between punitiveness and defensive gun use. 16 references and 2 tables