Majority Of Americans Want Stricter Gun Laws: Marist Poll

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — With the national conversation continuing about gun control in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, a recent Marist Poll found that 71 percent of Americans — including 58 percent of gun owners, believe that the laws governing the sale of firearms need to be stricter. That percentage is up from 64 percent in October 2017.

Twenty-three percent — or a little more than one in five — said gun laws should remain as they are. Only 5 percent believe the laws should be less strict.

Regardless of demographics, at least a majority of Americans think gun laws should be strengthened. Among those most likely to support stricter gun laws are Democrats (93 percent) and women (81 percent), especially those living in small cities or the suburbs (84 percent).

Although those who say they voted for President Donald Trump (51 percent) and those who say they identify as strong Republicans (51 percent) are the least likely to want stricter gun laws, even a majority of these voters favor strengthening the laws.

Almost three-quarters of Americans — 74 percent — think the high school students who survived the shooting in Parkland and who are speaking out about gun violence will have some impact on gun reform: 34 percent major impact; 40 percent minor impact.

Less than a quarter — 23 percent — said they won’t have any impact. Three percent were unsure.

“Americans are experiencing a heated debated over gun policy in the wake of the latest school shooting,” said Dr. Lee M. Miringoff, director of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

“What jumps out in the findings is that there is not only widespread support for gun reform, but it has become a voting issue for gun reform advocates, especially women,” he said.

Does a candidate’s position on gun legislation have any influence on the way someone votes?

The Marist Poll found that 85 percent of registered voters said it does. Included here were 59 precent of registered voters saying it’s a major factor and 26 percent who say it’s a minor factor. Thirteen percent said it doesn’t play a role in deciding their vote; 2 percent were unsure.

Of note, 77 percent of Americans who said that a candidate’s gun policy position will have a major influence on the way they vote in the midterm elections said that gun laws need to be strengthened.

A majority of voters — 54 percent — said they definitely or probably would vote for a congressional candidate who supports a ban on semi-automatic assault guns. In comparison, 40 percent said they would definitely or probably vote against someone running for Congress who was in favor of a ban.

People also have opinions on congressional candidates receiving contributions from the National Rifle Association. A majority (51 percent) would definitely or probably vote against someone who gets money from the NRA. In contrast, 37 percent of voters said they would probably or definitely vote for a candidate who gets campaign donations from the gun-rights organization.

Miringoff said that the recent tragic shooting has revitalized the gun policy debate.

“If this intensity of debate continues to shape discourse through the midterms, candidates running for office will need to pay careful attention to the issue,” he said.

This Marist Poll surveyed 1,026 adults age 18 and older from Feb. 20 to Feb. 21, 2018.

The complete methodology can be found by clicking here.

Photo caption: In this July 20, 2012, file photo, a row of different AR-15 style rifles are displayed for sale at the Firing-Line indoor range and gun shop in Aurora, Colo. Photo credit: AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File.