TV Gun Use Declines Significantly in Fall 2023 Amid Hollywood Strikes: Impact of Labor Disputes Explored, Study Finds
Television gun usage has experienced a dramatic decline this fall, and according to a recent study, this can largely be attributed to the Hollywood strikes that caused the shutdown of numerous film and TV productions this year.
The study, titled Gun Smoke: An Analysis of How Labor Strikes May Have Impacted Network TV Gun Portrayals in Fall 2023, was conducted by the Project Unloaded Youth Council and Project Unloaded staff, a non-profit organization focused on changing public perception around gun safety to combat gun violence.
The research indicates that the reduced number of procedural dramas, which heavily feature guns, played a significant role in the decrease in gun portrayals during primetime. As the strikes disrupted writing and production processes for most scripted shows, networks turned to unscripted content to fill the void left by the absence of new episodes.
Project Unloaded sought to investigate the impact of this shift in TV content on the prevalence and nature of gun-related stories. To do so, the Project Unloaded Youth Council meticulously watched and analyzed 127 episodes of primetime network television from the last week of September 2022 to the last week of September 2023. They recorded instances of guns in both years, including details such as who wielded the weapon, if it was fired, the motive behind it, and whether the portrayal acknowledged the risks associated with firearms.
Comparing the data from 2022 and 2023, the researchers discovered a clear connection between the strikes and a decrease in gun depictions on television. Across four networks, the number of episodes featuring guns decreased from 25 in 2022 to 15 in 2023.
Notably, CBS displayed more guns than any other network in 2023, with ten of the 15 episodes including a gun originating from that network. However, when excluding CBS’s gun depictions, the overall rate of gun appearances in shows across the other networks plummeted from 29% in 2022 to 13% in 2023.
Furthermore, the study explored audience preferences by examining ratings. It found that shows without guns consistently outperformed those with firearm portrayals. In 2022, gunless shows won 77% of timeslots, which increased to an impressive 96% in 2023.
Shiven Patel, a member of Project Unloaded’s Youth Council and one of the report’s key contributors, emphasized the need for TV creators to consider the messages conveyed by their shows’ treatment of guns. Patel stated, More guns make people less safe, but you wouldn’t know that watching most network shows that include gun use. Gun violence is the number one killer of my generation. We need everyone with a public platform to do their part to help make us all safer.
The report also includes recommendations for future gun portrayals, encouraging TV writers and creators to carefully evaluate the necessity of guns within their narratives. It suggests emphasizing the risks associated with firearms whenever they are depicted and avoiding the portrayal of guns as the primary safety mechanism for law enforcement personnel.
These findings demonstrate that TV can veer away from content that perpetuates the dangerous notion that being armed equates to safety while remaining commercially viable. By thoughtfully crafting their stories, TV creators can contribute to a safer understanding of guns in society.
In conclusion, the study conducted by Project Unloaded sheds light on the significant decline in TV gun usage during Fall 2023. The effects of the Hollywood strikes, which limited the production of scripted shows, played a crucial role in this decline. As discussions around gun safety continue, the study serves as a reminder that TV has the power to shape public perception and contribute to a safer society.
