[ad_1]
Story Highlights
- 52% of Americans want stricter gun laws, lowest since 2014
- Independents’ support for stricter gun laws down 15 points since 2020
- Record-low 19% favor handgun ban in U.S., down from 25% last year
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans’ support for stricter gun control has fallen five percentage points to 52%, the lowest reading since 2014. At the same time, 35% of U.S. adults think laws covering the sale of firearms should be kept as they are now and 11% favor less strict laws.
Line graph. Percentages of Americans since 1990 who want the laws covering the sale of firearms to be more strict, less strict or kept as they are now. The latest data find a five-point decline in the percentage of U.S. adults (to 52%) who want stricter laws, 11% who want them kept as they are and 35% less strict. The percentage of Americans who want stricter gun laws is the lowest since 2014. The highest percentage for those supporting stricter laws was 78% in 1990.
Gallup has been tracking the public’s views on this measure since 1990, when the nation’s crime rate was high and a record 78% of Americans supported stricter laws for gun sales. Since then, calls for tougher gun control have generally spiked in the wake of prominent mass shootings and faded as the memory of each receded. As recently as three years ago, after the Parkland, Florida, school shooting, support for increased gun control rose to 67%, the highest point since 1993. It remained elevated until it began to fall last year. The latest decline in support for stricter gun laws, from an Oct. 1-19 Gallup poll, follows a seven-point drop last year.
The decline in support for stricter gun laws last year was mostly due to a 14-point drop among Republicans, to 22% — the group’s lowest point on record. This year’s decrease is driven by a 15-point plunge among independents. For their part, Democrats’ desire for more restrictive gun laws ticked up to 91%.
Line graph. Percentages of Republicans, Democrats and independents who want the laws covering the sale of firearms to be more strict, since 2001. The latest data find a new 91% high of Democrats, 45% of independents and 24% of Republicans want stricter laws. Independents’ desire for stricter gun laws has fallen 15 points since one year ago while Democrats’ is up six points and Republicans is essentially unchanged compared to last year’s 22%.
While Democrats are nearly unanimous in their support for stricter gun laws, Republicans’ and independents’ preferences are not as clear-cut. A 56% majority of Republicans favor keeping laws for the sale of firearms as they are now, while the remainder divide about evenly between wanting stricter (24%) and less strict (20%) laws. Independents are mostly divided between saying they prefer stricter laws (45%) and wanting laws kept as they are (41%). Twelve percent of independents favor less strict laws.
Preferences for Gun Laws in the U.S.
In general, do you feel that the laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, less strict or kept as they are now?
| More strict | Less strict | Kept as they are | |
|---|---|---|---|
| % | % | % | |
| U.S. adults | 52 | 11 | 35 |
| Republicans | 24 | 20 | 56 |
| Independents | 45 | 12 | 41 |
| Democrats | 91 | 3 | 6 |
| Oct. 1-19, 2021 | |||
| GALLUP | |||
Support for Handgun Ban at Record-Lowest Point
Gallup has measured public support for a complete ban on handguns in the U.S. for all but the police and other authorized persons since 1980, and before that asked a similar question about “a law which would forbid the possession” of “pistols and revolvers.” Support for banning citizens’ ownership of handguns peaked at 60%, the initial measure, in 1959. After that first reading, it never rose to the majority level and has been below 30% since 2008. Today’s 19% favoring such a ban is the all-time low, and down six points in the past year.
Line graph. Percentage of Americans who think there should be a ban on the possession of handguns except by the police and other authorized persons, since 1980. The latest finding, 19%, is the lowest on record and a six-point decline since last year.
As is the case with Americans’ preference for gun laws in general, the latest drop in support for a handgun ban is largely attributable to political independents. Currently, 14% of independents think there should be a ban on handguns, which marks a 16-point decline since 2019, including nine points since 2020. Even fewer Republicans, 6%, favor such a ban, while 40% of Democrats do — figures consistent with recent support among each party group.
Line graph. Percentage of Republicans, Democrats and independents who think there should be a ban on the possession of handguns except by the police and other authorized persons, since 2001. Currently, 6% of Republicans, 40% of Democrats and 14% of independents favor such a ban. The Republican and independent readings are at their lowest points on record.
Bottom Line
Americans’ support for stricter gun laws has typically risen in the aftermath of high-profile mass shootings and fallen during periods without such events. Changes in the party occupying the White House may also influence preferences for gun laws. Generally, the public favors stricter laws when Republicans are in office and less strict laws when Democrats are.
At the same time, support for banning handguns seems less affected by current events. It began to decline after the passage of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act in 1993, which was strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association.
To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.
Learn more about how the Gallup Poll Social Series works.
[ad_2]
Source link
731283 474063I believe that a simple and unassuming manner of life is greatest for every person, very best both for the body and the mind. 922623
465627 421152Some truly select articles on this internet site , bookmarked . 72621
748899 208345light bulbs are excellent for lighting the home but stay away from incandescent lamps because they produce so much heat;; 812433
619993 456224It is hard to find knowledgeable individuals on this subject however you sound like you know what you are talking about! Thanks 661897
493248 778664Wow post thanks! We believe your articles are wonderful and want far more soon. We adore anything to do with word games/word play. 63858
466221 799942I like this blog so a lot, saved to bookmarks . 340334
760170 712319Wonderful internet site you got here! Yoo man great reads, post some far more! Im gon come back so far better have updated 513673
542643 92800Wonderful website. Plenty of helpful information here. 226047
809956 211811 You really should take part in a contest for among the very best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site! 679008
200327 743874I got what you mean ,bookmarked , really good internet web site . 894787
107570 211481Aw, it was a genuinely good post. In concept I ought to put in writing similar to this additionally – spending time and actual effort to manufacture a exceptional article but exactly what do I say I procrastinate alot and no indicates locate a way to go carried out. 719831
978986 916077Your weblog is among the greater blogs Ive came across in months. Thank you for your posts and all of the greatest together with your work and weblog. Searching forward to reading new entries! 823373
875209 87875This is such a great post, and was thinking significantly the same myself. Yet another great update. 870729
762697 453615 I discovered your weblog web site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very great operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading much more from you later on! 688042
488275 421516I real glad to uncover this web web site on bing, just what I was looking for : D likewise saved to bookmarks . 698985
128851 571473Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple adjustements would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Thanks a lot 526213
515823 142851This sort of in search of get the enhancements created on this particular lifestyle and diet, begin your L . a . Shifting the pounds diet remedy can be a huge procedure into accesing which generally hope. weight loss 435915
531715 791228We guarantee authentic brands avoiding inferior commercial imitations, or even dangerous counterfeits. 390905
546549 613623really nice post, i definitely enjoy this remarkable site, persist with it 900495