Home Public AffairsPolicy Support for stricter gun laws: A trend or movement?

Support for stricter gun laws: A trend or movement?

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The Quinnipiac University Poll conducted in the days immediately after the Parkland, Florida, tragedy showed a groundswell of voter sentiment for rewriting the country’s gun laws.

We have seen a nearly 20 point surge in that direction in the last two years and a growing wave toward not just better background checks, but overall review and change of every aspect of gun control since the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Clearly Americans want assault weapons banned. But the highest support we have ever seen for stricter gun laws tell us that Parkland struck a nerve.

A trend or movement? The discussion continues:

 Not for us to say, but when Americans say in overwhelming numbers that it is too easy to buy a gun in America and more guns in the hands of citizens make the country less safe, voters are making a statement that is resonating in the halls of power.

American voters today support stricter gun laws 66 – 31 percent, the highest level of support ever measured by the independent Quinnipiac University National Poll today, with 50 – 44 percent support among gun owners and 62 – 35 percent support from white voters with no college degree and 58 – 38 percent support among white men.

Today’s result is up from a 52 – 45 percent measure in support in a Nov. 5, 2015, survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University Poll.

Support for universal background checks is itself almost universal, 97 – 2 percent, including 97 – 3 percent among gun owners. Support for gun control on other questions is at its highest levels since the Quinnipiac University Poll began focusing on this issue in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre:

• 67 – 29 percent for a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons;
• 83 – 14 percent for a mandatory waiting period for all gun purchases;

It is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today, American voters say 67 – 3 percent. If more people carried guns, the U.S. would be less safe, voters say 59 – 33 percent. Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence, voters say 75 – 17 percent.

Stricter gun control would do more to reduce gun violence in schools, 40 percent of voters say, while 34 percent say metal detectors would do more and 20 percent say armed teachers are the answer.

“If you think Americans are largely unmoved by the mass shootings, you should think again. Support for stricter gun laws is up nearly 20 points in last 2 years,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

“In the last four months, the biggest surge in support for tightening gun laws comes from a demographic you may not expect, independent voters, men, and whites with no college degree.”

Tim Malloy, Assistant Director, Quinnipiac University Poll

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