Views Of The American Public On Gun Control

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is opposed to any kind of restrictions on the sale and possession of guns of any kind. And congressional Republicans agree with them. Senate Republicans voted down last week an effort to close the loopholes in the background check law (to prevent terrorists and criminals from legally buying a gun), and House Republicans refused to even hold a vote on that.

But poll after poll has shown that the American people don't agree with the NRA or congressional Republicans. They want some reasonable gun control laws -- laws that would save American lives without violating the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The chart above is from one of the latest polls on this matter. It is the YouGov Poll -- done between June 18th and 20th of a random national sample of 1,300 adults, with a margin of error of 3.9 points. This poll questioned their respondents on various gun control proposals.

It turns out that a whopping 82% support universal background checks on all gun sales (including a gun sold by a private individual). 73% would impose a five day waiting period on gun purchases, 69% favor a national gun registry, 59% would ban ammunition clips holding more than 10 rounds, and 56% favor banning assault weapons. Slim majorities of 51% would ban all semi-automatics and let the CDC research gun violence.

Three proposals were shot down by poll respondents. 70% opposed a ban on the sale of handguns, and pluralities of 48% opposed eliminating concealed carry permits and a limit on the number of handguns a person can own.

Personally, I find it amazing that we can't get a universal background check law passed -- considering that over 80% in every poll taken favors that.