Table 3 Multivariate analyses of variances (MANOVAs) examining between group differences on the perceived utility of various policies for preventing mass school shootings.

Universal background checks

3.01

3.64

.08

<.001

2.81

3.51

.07

<.001

3.70_a

3.24_b

3.12_b

.06

<.001

Expanded background checks

2.72

3.44

.08

<.001

2.56

3.29

.05

<.001

3.64_a

2.86_b

2.81_b

.10

<.001

Fewer school entrances

1.74

1.87

.00

.398

1.88

1.81

.00

.736

1.64_a

1.65_a

2.32_b

.04

.003

Arming teachers/school personnel

1.40

1.07

.01

.029

1.61

1.06

.02

.005

0.68_a

1.05_a

2.36_b

.18

<.001

Banning AR-15s

2.04

3.33

.16

<.001

1.85

3.12

.11

<.001

3.55_a

2.58_b

1.91_c

.16

<.001

Banning high-capacity magazines

2.20

3.32

.13

<.001

2.05

3.13

.08

<.001

3.44_a

2.78_b

2.03_c

.12

<.001

Omnibus test

λ = .07, p < .001, _pη² = .93

λ = .11, p < .001, _pη² = .89

λ = .07, p < .001, _pη² = .93

Increase mental health funding

2.74

3.18

.03

.009

2.91

2.97

.00

.728

3.29_a

2.81_b

2.59_b

.05

<.001

Increase armed school security

2.13

2.31

.00

.224

2.49

2.04

.02

.015

2.03_a

2.22_ab

2.72_b

.03

.003

License to purchase firearm

2.74

3.01

.01

.049

2.77

2.99

.01

.188

3.29_a

3.07_a

2.19_b

.10

<.001

Age 21 for all firearm purchases

2.30

2.57

.01

.070

2.41

2.49

.00

.623

2.94_a

2.26_b

2.24_b

.05

<.001

More school metal detectors

1.91

2.53

.05

<.001

2.29

2.17

.00

.507

2.25

2.07

2.57

.02

.052

Allow prayer in school

1.27

1.41

.00

.389

1.28

1.27

.00

.972

1.05_a

1.04_a

2.14_b

.08

<.001

Secure firearm storage

1.77

2.55

.06

<.001

1.64

2.37

.04

<.001

2.75_a

1.79_b

1.64_b

.10

<.001

Omnibus test

λ = .10, p < .001, _pη² = .90

λ = .13, p < .001, _pη² = .87

λ = .10, p < .001, _pη² = .90