A majority of Americans (55%) say crime is an extremely or very serious problem in the U.S. — about the same level of concern they had in 2011, but down slightly from 2010. Another 38% view the U.S. crime problem as moderately serious, while one in 20 consider it not […] Read more »
Americans’ Satisfaction With Life Similar to Levels in 1998
After headlines have often trumpeted news of a continuing federal budget deficit, persistently high unemployment, and a slow-to-recover housing market in the U.S. in recent years, the prevailing wisdom might be that these developments are affecting Americans’ satisfaction with their lives. Yet Americans report high levels of satisfaction with many […] Read more »
Crime Is Up, but Americans Don’t Seem to Have Noticed
The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics recently released its crime figures for 2012, showing the rate of violent crimes in the U.S. increasing for the second consecutive year. Victimizations per thousand rose from 19 in 2010 to 23 in 2011 and 26 in 2012. Nevertheless, slightly fewer Americans today than […] Read more »
Death Penalty Support Lowest in More Than 40 Years
Sixty percent of Americans say they favor the death penalty for convicted murderers, the lowest level of support Gallup has measured since November 1972, when 57% were in favor. Death penalty support peaked at 80% in 1994, but it has gradually declined since then. CONT. Jeffrey M. Jones, Gallup Read more »
Personal Safety Top Reason Americans Own Guns Today
President Barack Obama has made strengthening gun control one of his top priorities this year, focusing on expanding background checks and a partial assault weapons ban. Gallup finds that those who already own firearms mention personal safety/protection most frequently as a reason for ownership (60%), followed by hunting, at 36%. […] Read more »
Huge Majority Thinks Washington Can Reduce Gun Violence
Americans overwhelmingly think there is something Washington can do to reduce gun violence, but pronounced splits on the specific legislative fix underscore the difficulty Congress would face passing a bill. [cont.] Scott Bland, National Journal Read more »