Poll: Most Americans still support stricter gun laws and bans on assault weapons

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FILE-A salesperson buys a gun from a gun display in a store. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Gun control in the United States has long been a widely debated issue, but now there appears to be a shift in Americans’ views on the issue, according to a new poll.

In a recent Gallup poll, a majority of people still want stricter gun laws and a ban on assault weapons in the country, while others oppose a gun ban.

Approximately 56% of respondents support stricter gun laws covering gun sales, while 33% want gun laws to remain as they are currently and 10% want gun laws to be less strict.

RELATING TO: Gun violence remains leading cause of death for US youth, report finds

The survey found that the 20 percent of Americans who support a law banning gun possession except by police and other authorized persons is down seven percentage points from 2023.

When it comes to banning assault weapons, 52 percent of respondents say that the production, possession and sale of assault rifles should be banned. But support for the ban is lower than measured in the past two polls, according to Gallup.

RELATING TO: Surgeon general declares gun violence in US a public health crisis

Meanwhile, in the United States, political parties have opposing views on gun control; 89% of Democrats, 56% of Independents and 25% of Republicans support stricter gun laws.

59 percent of Republicans support keeping gun sales laws as they are now, while 15 percent prefer less stringent laws. In addition to a majority of independents wanting stricter gun laws, 31% want those laws to remain the same, while 12% support stricter laws.

Additionally, Democrats (82%) support banning assault weapons compared to Republicans (27%) and independents (50%).

Gallup used data from the October 1-12 crime survey for its latest survey on gun laws and assault weapons bans.

US surgeon general declares gun violence a public health crisis

In June 2024, US general surgeon Dr. Vivek Murthy Declares gun violence a public health crisisDue to the rapid increase in firearm-related injuries and deaths in the country.

To reduce gun deaths, Murthy calls on the United States to ban “assault weapons and large-capacity magazines for civilian use,” implement universal background checks for gun purchases, regulate the industry, and pass laws that would restrict their use in public spaces and punish people. Those who fail to store their weapons safely.

These changes cannot become law nationwide without legislation passed by Congress. But some state legislatures have implemented or may consider some of the surgeon general’s recommendations.