Supportforguncontrol inAmericahas beensteadilydropping.Currently,theAmerican public stronglyopposes attempts to ban gun ownership, and is dividedon attempts tolimit gun ownership.A 2008Gallup pollrevealed that 28% of the population supported a totalban on handgunsthe lowest level since the poll wasfirsttaken in1959 (when support for a total ban was60% of the population).This same poll revealed that49%ofAmericansin2008preferredmorerestrictivegunlaws, compared to 78% when the question wasfirst asked in the 1990 version of the poll. A2009 CNNpoll found even lower levels of support for gun laws: inthis poll, only 39% favored more restrictive laws. Thepoll indicates that the drop in support (compared to2001 polls) came from self-identified Independentswith levels of opposition among Democrats andRepublicans remaining consistent
• Support for gun control in America has been steadily dropping. Currently, the American public strongly opposes attempts to ban gun ownership, and is divided on attempts to limit gun ownership. A 2008 Gallup poll revealed that 28% of the population supported a total ban on handguns — the lowest level since the poll was first taken in 1959 (when support for a total ban was 60% of the population). This same poll revealed that 49% of Americans in 2008 preferred more restrictive gun laws, compared to 78% when the question was first asked in the 1990 version of the poll. A 2009 CNN poll found even lower levels of support for gun laws: in this poll, only 39% favored more restrictive laws. The poll indicates that the drop in support (compared to 2001 polls) came from self-identified Independents, with levels of opposition among Democrats and Republicans remaining consistent
There is a sharp divide between gun-rights proponentsand gun-control proponents. This leads to intensepolitical debate over the effectiveness of firearmregulation.On the whole, Democrats are far more likely to support"stricter"gun control than are Republicans. Accordingto a 2010 Harris Interactive survey, a 70% to 7%majority of Democrats favors "stricter" rather than "lessstrict"gun control, whereas Republicans are split 22%"stricter"to 42%"lessstrict"with27%ofRepublicansand 14% of Democrats opting for"neither
• There is a sharp divide between gun-rights proponents and gun-control proponents. This leads to intense political debate over the effectiveness of firearm regulation. • On the whole, Democrats are far more likely to support "stricter" gun control than are Republicans. According to a 2010 Harris Interactive survey, a 70% to 7% majority of Democrats favors "stricter" rather than "less strict" gun control, whereas Republicans are split 22% "stricter" to 42% "less strict" with 27% of Republicans and 14% of Democrats opting for "neither
The division of beliefs may be attributable to the factthat Republicans are morelikely toown guns,according to General Social Surveys conducted duringthe last 35 years. The graphs, below, show that gunownership has generally declined;however,Republicansespecially menare far more likely toown"guns orrevolvers
• The division of beliefs may be attributable to the fact that Republicans are more likely to own guns, according to General Social Surveys conducted during the last 35 years. The graphs, below, show that gun ownership has generally declined; however, Republicans — especially men — are far more likely to own "guns or revolvers
More recentlyina 2008 survey completed by Gallupthere arelarge differences betweenRepublicans andDemocrats on the issues of gun ownership and control:·More than half of Republicans report having a gun intheir homes, while only about a third of Democratsreport this.·Two in three Republicans say they aresatisfied with the nation's laws or policies on guns. Thispercentage is much lower among Democrats, at 37%..The strong majority of Democrats feel that gun laws inthe United States should be stricter, while only about 4in 10 Republicans feel this way. Forty-eight percent ofRepublicans feel gun laws should remain as they areat the present time
• More recently in a 2008 survey completed by Gallup, there are large differences between Republicans and Democrats on the issues of gun ownership and control: •More than half of Republicans report having a gun in their homes, while only about a third of Democrats report this. •Two in three Republicans say they are satisfied with the nation's laws or policies on guns. This percentage is much lower among Democrats, at 37%. •The strong majority of Democrats feel that gun laws in the United States should be stricter, while only about 4 in 10 Republicans feel this way. Forty-eight percent of Republicans feel gun laws should remain as they are at the present time
Figuare44."Do you happen tohaiveinyouar home (orgerdge)antygauts orrevohvers!"(Men)(GSsurveysconhucredberween1973and2006.groupedbydecale,basedonlefttonighr,1664,26932312,and1483cases.Thediferencesdepictedbythegraphpointsontheftsideefthecharthavenostearistical sigmificanceThechifferencesdepicted on thenightsidehavea99+%confidencelevel.withrelativeproporrionsof,leittonight84and.65)GsS:Doyouhappentohaveagunathome?(Men)605040Percent30"Yes"20100Year>>1980-891990-991973-792000-0653.454.847.634.9Democrats56.453.658.157.4Republicans