Poll: Handgun Ban Popularity Drops to Near-Record Low Driven by Falling Democratic Support

Solely 20 p.c of People suppose pistols ought to be reserved just for law enforcement officials, as Democrats abandon the concept.

On Monday, Gallup launched a ballot on American attitudes on gun coverage that discovered assist for a handgun ban fell to a near-record low. Whereas Republican assist remained constant at simply six p.c, assist for a pistol ban fell amongst Independents and, particularly, Democrats. A 3rd of Democrats now assist a ban in comparison with practically half only a yr in the past.

“Gallup has measured public assist for a ban on handguns since 1980 and, earlier than that, had requested an analogous query about ‘a legislation which might forbid the possession’ of ‘pistols and revolvers,’” Megan Brenan, a senior editor for the polling firm, wrote in regards to the ballot that was performed shortly earlier than the election. “Assist for banning the possession of handguns by unauthorized individuals peaked at 60% in 1959, the preliminary studying. Since then, assist has by no means risen to the bulk degree and has been constantly under 30% since 2008, together with the present near-record low. The decline in assist for a handgun ban this yr is essentially owed to Democrats, whose backing has fallen by 16 factors since 2023 to 33% — a brand new low — after the group confirmed growing assist for a ban the prior two years.“

The decline in Democratic assist coincides with Kamala Harris emphasizing that she owns a Glock pistol throughout her presidential run. It additionally might assist clarify a part of the explanation she misplaced to Donald Trump. Whereas Harris promoted her gun possession, her report included assist for a complete handgun ban in San Francisco and an efficient ban on gross sales of recent handgun fashions in California–one thing Trump attacked her for on the marketing campaign path.

Nonetheless, total assist for stricter gun legal guidelines remained secure in Gallup’s newest ballot. Whereas down from assist ranges seen in 2018 and 2022, 56 p.c of People mentioned they need stricter gun legal guidelines. Solely 10 p.c mentioned they wished looser legal guidelines. Nonetheless, the partisan divide over gun legal guidelines reached new data.

“Partisans proceed to supply sharply totally different preferences for gun management within the U.S., with 89% of Democrats supporting stricter gun legal guidelines in contrast with 56% of independents and 25% of Republicans,” Brenan wrote. “Democrats’ backing for more durable gun legal guidelines has ranged from 85% to 94% since 2017, whereas Republicans’ and independents’ have been considerably decrease. Republicans’ present studying is actually the identical because the group’s 22% report low in 2020.”

Assist for a so-called assault weapons ban dropped as properly. Whereas a naked majority nonetheless assist a ban–together with on possession–of the oft-debated firearms, assist has fallen by 9 factors over the previous 5 years. Backing for the ban was down throughout all events however fell most amongst Republicans.

“In contrast with 2019, assist for an assault weapons ban is decrease amongst Republicans (27%) and independents (50%). In the meantime, Democrats (82%) steadily and broadly favor a ban on semiautomatic weapons,” Brenan wrote.

Nonetheless, Gallup’s query on the problem makes use of confused terminology that may skew the outcomes. Whereas its headline refers to “assault weapons,” the query really asks about “semiautomatic weapons, often called assault rifles.” Since “assault rifles” have historically been outlined as sure centerfire rifles able to each semi-automatic and fully-automatic hearth, the blended language the polling firm employs could create some confusion amongst respondents. Nonetheless, the pattern strains might be helpful for the reason that query’s wording hasn’t modified over time.

General, the ballot paints a comparatively secure image of the place People fall on gun coverage. Assist seems to be steadily declining for many gun bans, however at a comparatively gradual tempo and in an setting the place America has skilled comparatively few main mass shootings over the previous yr.

Gallup performed its ballot of 1,023 adults between October 1st and the twelfth. The ballot has a margin of error of 4 factors.