Where does America really stand on guns?
To understand public opinion, we must look at four aspects of the issue. First, basic rights. The Second Amendment to the Constitution is seen by pro-gun advocates as the bedrock of the right to “keep and bear arms.” To anti-gun advocates, it’s an outdated barrier to getting rid of guns.
A recent Politico/Morning Consult poll found that only 24% of voters favor repealing the Second Amendment. While 40% of Democrats said they want to repeal it, only 11% of Republicans and 19% of independents do.
Second, priorities and trade-offs. What’s more important: protecting the right to own guns or limiting gun ownership? While half the electorate said limiting gun ownership is more important, a substantial 42% said they believe protecting the right to own guns is more important. Again, we find a deep partisan divide: 69% of Republicans put a premium on the right to own guns, as compared to 17% of Democrats and 39% of independents.
Third, regulatory policy. Federal and state governments already have a variety of gun restrictions — do we need stricter ones? Of the respondents, 65% said yes, including 86% of Democrats, 44% of Republicans, and 66% of independents.
Fourth, perceived effectiveness. While most voters favor some restrictions, the latest Economist/YouGov poll found that many of them doubt new laws will actually work. For example, only 41% said these laws would have “prevented any of the recent mass shootings.”
According to the Politico/Morning Consult poll, there are five proposals that garner overwhelming support, between 80% and nearly 90%, along with big majorities across party lines. Namely:
- Requiring background checks on all gun sales is supported by 88% of all voters, including 91% of Democrats and 86% of both Republicans and independents.
- Preventing sales of firearms to people determined to be dangerous is supported by 84% of voters, including 81% of Republicans, 88% of Democrats, and 82% of independents.
- Making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks is favored by 81% of voters, including 75% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats, and 82% of independents.
- Requiring a mandatory waiting period of three days after a gun is purchased before it can be taken home is endorsed by 8 out of 10 voters, including 73% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 79% of independents.
- Requiring a person to be at least 21 years old to buy a gun is also backed by 80% of voters, including 75% of Republicans, 86% of Democrats, and 80% of independents. Even 78% of voters in households that have guns support this measure.
If Congress reaches a bipartisan consensus, it will likely involve these five proposals. There is enough support to impress House and Senate members on both sides. In addition, there is tremendous support, 87%, for a proposal related to but broader than guns. And that’s expanded screening and treatment for the mentally ill. This is backed by 85% of Republicans, 88% of Democrats, and 86% of independents.
Some proposals lacking strong bipartisan support, such as banning assault-style weapons and preventing the carry of a concealed weapon in public, are popular with Democrats but less so among Republicans. Conversely, policies such as stationing armed guards at schools and giving teachers and school administrators the option of being armed at work are popular with Republicans but less so among Democrats.
Polls show most voters respect the right to own guns, but many also favor restrictions. There is common ground. The question is whether Congress finds it.
Ron Faucheux is a nonpartisan political analyst. He publishes LunchtimePolitics.com, a free nationwide newsletter on polls and public opinion, and is the author of Running for Office, a tell-all book for political candidates.
