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From Rasmussen Reports
Public Remains Divided on Gun Control
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
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In the aftermath of two separate shooting incidents in Arvada and Colorado Springs, Colorado, Americans remain evenly divided as to whether or not stricter gun control laws are needed. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 42% of likely voters say there should be stricter gun control laws while 44% disagree and say stricter laws are not needed. Last April, following the Virginia Tech shooting 45% of adults said there should be stricter laws and 37% disagreed.
There is a strong partisan difference on the issue of gun control. A majority (62%) of Democrats say that the country needs stricter gun control laws. Only 25% of Republicans feel the same way.
Thirty-five percent (35%) of likely voters think that stricter gun control laws would reduce violent crime in the United States, while 22% believe that these laws would actually increase violent crime.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) say that the issue of gun control is at least somewhat important in terms of how they will vote. That includes 40% who say it is Very Important. Another 28% say the issue is Not Very Important in determining their vote while 9% say it is Not at All Important.
A major case on the individual’s right to keep and bear arms has recently made headlines. The Supreme Court, which has not examined the Second Amendment of the Constitution in seventy years, has accepted a case in November which will determine whether a 31 year old ban of handguns in Washington DC will be lifted. The case, which is expected to be decided in June 2008, will ultimately decide whether the second amendment really does grant the right of all citizens to bear arms.
Fifty percent (50%) of voters say that someone in their house owns a gun. Thirty-two percent (32%) of those with a gun in their home say the U.S. needs stricter gun control laws. Among those who don’t have a gun in their home, 58% say stricter laws are needed.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) have followed recent news stories on the Colorado shootings at least somewhat closely, while a quarter (25%) have not followed them very closely. Only four percent (4%) have not followed the stories at all.
Public Remains Divided on Gun Control
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Advertisment
In the aftermath of two separate shooting incidents in Arvada and Colorado Springs, Colorado, Americans remain evenly divided as to whether or not stricter gun control laws are needed. A Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that 42% of likely voters say there should be stricter gun control laws while 44% disagree and say stricter laws are not needed. Last April, following the Virginia Tech shooting 45% of adults said there should be stricter laws and 37% disagreed.
There is a strong partisan difference on the issue of gun control. A majority (62%) of Democrats say that the country needs stricter gun control laws. Only 25% of Republicans feel the same way.
Thirty-five percent (35%) of likely voters think that stricter gun control laws would reduce violent crime in the United States, while 22% believe that these laws would actually increase violent crime.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) say that the issue of gun control is at least somewhat important in terms of how they will vote. That includes 40% who say it is Very Important. Another 28% say the issue is Not Very Important in determining their vote while 9% say it is Not at All Important.
A major case on the individual’s right to keep and bear arms has recently made headlines. The Supreme Court, which has not examined the Second Amendment of the Constitution in seventy years, has accepted a case in November which will determine whether a 31 year old ban of handguns in Washington DC will be lifted. The case, which is expected to be decided in June 2008, will ultimately decide whether the second amendment really does grant the right of all citizens to bear arms.
Fifty percent (50%) of voters say that someone in their house owns a gun. Thirty-two percent (32%) of those with a gun in their home say the U.S. needs stricter gun control laws. Among those who don’t have a gun in their home, 58% say stricter laws are needed.
Sixty-nine percent (69%) have followed recent news stories on the Colorado shootings at least somewhat closely, while a quarter (25%) have not followed them very closely. Only four percent (4%) have not followed the stories at all.