Most Americans support tough new measures to counter gun violence, including banning assault weapons and posting armed guards at every school, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll. More than half of Americans — 52 percent in the poll — say the shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, […] Read more »
After Newtown Shootings, Most Back Some Gun Controls
A majority of Americans favor such gun control measures as banning assault weapons and expanding background checks on those who buy guns and ammunition, with support for banning high-capacity ammunition magazines at a new high in ABC News/Washington Post polls. [cont.] Gary Langer, ABC News Recent polls: Guns Read more »
In Gun Control Debate, Several Options Draw Majority Support
While the issue of gun control remains divisive, there are clear areas of agreement when it comes to a number of gun policy proposals. Fully 85% of Americans favor making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks, with comparable support from Republicans, Democrats and independents. […] Read more »
Dissatisfaction With Gun Laws Spikes to 38%
In the aftermath of the Newtown, Conn., school shootings, and as Vice President Joe Biden leads a federal task force that will recommend ways to curb gun violence in the U.S., 38% of Americans are dissatisfied with the nation’s gun laws and want them strengthened. This is up from 25% […] Read more »
Poll finds support for guns – as well as limits – in Maine
Mainers are more likely to own guns than most Americans, but they’re also more supportive of increasing restrictions, such as banning semi-automatic rifles and high-capacity magazines, according to a Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram poll. While the poll results appear contradictory, they reflect Maine’s traditional gun culture, said Scott Bahr, […] Read more »
How media lose interest in gun control
… The gun control debate illustrates what is known as the “issue-attention cycle.” This occurs when a dramatic event — in this case, the Newtown shooting — causes the media and public to become intensely interested in a policy issue for a brief time, before moving on to other problems. […] Read more »