Guns

Line graph. Do you have a gun in your home? 1959-2018 trend. High 51% "yes" in 1993; currently 43%.

Line graph. Americans' views in changes on strictness of gun laws. 61% in late 2018 say they should be more strict.

In general, do you feel that the laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, less strict or kept as they are now?

	More strict	Less strict	Kept as now	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2018 Oct 1-10	61	8	30	2
2018 Mar 1-8	67	4	28	1
2017 Oct 5-11	60	5	33	1
2016 Oct 5-9	55	10	34	1
2015 Oct 7-11	55	11	33	*
2014 Oct 12-15	47	14	38	1
2013 Oct 3-6	49	13	37	1
2013 Sep 17-18	49	13	37	2
2012 Dec 19-22	58	6	34	2
2011 Oct 6-9	43	11	44	2
2010 Oct 7-10	44	12	42	2
2009 Oct 1-4	44	12	43	1
2008 Oct 3-5	49	8	41	2
2007 Oct 4-7	51	8	39	2
2006 Oct 9-12	56	9	33	2
2005 Oct 13-16	57	7	35	1
2004 Oct 11-14	54	11	34	1
2004 Jan 9-11	60	6	34	*
2003 Oct 6-8	55	9	36	*
2002 Oct 14-17	51	11	36	2
2001 Oct 11-14	53	8	38	1
2000 May 5-7	62	5	31	2
2000 Apr 7-9	61	7	30	2
1999 Dec 9-12	60	10	29	1
1999 Aug 3-4	66	6	27	1
1999 Jun 25-27	62	6	31	1
1999 May 23-24	65	5	28	2
1999 Apr 26-27	66	7	25	2
1999 Feb 8-9	60	9	29	2
1995 Apr 23-24 ^	62	12	24	2
1993 Dec 17-19	67	7	25	1
1993 Mar 12-14	70	4	24	2
1991 Mar 21-24	68	5	25	2
1990 Sep 10-11	78	2	17	3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?

	Yes, should be	No, should not be	No opinion
	%	%	%
2018 Oct 1-10	28	71	1
2017 Oct 5-11	28	71	1
2016 Oct 5-9	23	76	1
2015 Oct 7-11	27	72	1
2014 Oct 12-15	26	73	1
2013 Oct 3-6	25	74	2
2012 Dec 19-22	24	74	2
2011 Oct 6-9	26	73	1
2010 Oct 7-10	29	69	1
2009 Oct 1-4	28	71	1
2008 Oct 3-5	29	69	2
2007 Oct 4-7	30	68	2
2006 Oct 9-12	32	66	2
2005 Oct 13-16	35	64	1
2004 Oct 11-14	36	63	1
2003 Oct 6-8	32	67	1
2002 Oct 14-17	32	65	3
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	36	62	2
1999 Apr 26-27	38	59	3
1999 Feb 8-9	34	64	2
1993 Dec 17-19	39	60	1
1993 Mar 12-14	42	54	4
1991 Mar 21-24	43	53	4
1990 Sep 10-11	41	55	4
1988 Jul 1-7	37	59	4
1987 Oct 12-18	42	50	8
1982 Apr 2-5	41	54	5
1981 Jun 19-22	41	54	5
1981 Apr 3-6	39	58	3
1980 Dec 12-21	38	51	11
1979 Nov 2-5 ^	31	65	4
1975 Mar 7-10 ^	41	55	4
1965 Jan 7-12 ^	49	44	7
1959 Jul 23-28 ^	60	36	4
^ WORDING: "...pistols and revolvers..."
Gallup

Next, we'd like to know how you feel about the state of the nation in each of the following areas. For each one, please say whether you are -- very satisfied, somewhat satisfied, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. If you don't have enough information about a particular subject to rate it, just say so. How about the nation's laws or policies on guns?

	Very satisfied	Somewhat satisfied	Somewhat dissatisfied	Very dissatisfied	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2019	15	24	16	40	4
2018	15	24	20	39	2
2017	13	29	23	31	5
2016	9	25	24	38	4
2015	12	30	23	28	6
2014	12	28	20	35	5
2013	12	31	21	30	5
2012	14	36	19	23	8
2008	14	34	23	21	7
2007	17	33	21	22	7
2006	16	32	21	22	9
2005	15	36	21	22	6
2004	14	37	22	23	4
2003	13	34	26	21	6
2002	13	35	24	23	5
2001	10	28	28	29	5
Gallup

(Asked of those dissatisfied with U.S. gun policy) Would you like to see gun laws in this country made more strict, less strict, or remain as they are?

Combined responses: Satisfaction with nation's gun laws + follow-up of those dissatisfied

	Total satisfied	Dissatisfied, want stricter	Dissatisfied, want less strict	Dissatisfied, keep the same	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2018	39	46	8	5	2
2017	42	37	11	6	5
2016	34	38	15	9	4
2015	42	31	12	8	6
2014	40	31	16	8	5
2013	43	38	5	8	5
2012	50	25	8	9	8
2008	49	30	8	6	7
2007	50	30	6	7	7
2006	47	32	7	4	9
2005	51	32	6	5	6
2004	51	33	6	6	4
2003	47	32	9	6	6
2002	48	33	8	6	5
2001	38	39	9	9	6
Gallup

Do you have a gun in your home?

	Yes, do	No, do not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2018 Oct 1-10	43	55	2
2017 Oct 5-11	42	56	2
2016 Oct 5-9	39	58	3
2015 Oct 7-11	41	56	2
2014 Oct 12-15	42	53	4
2013 Oct 3-6	37	59	4
2012 Dec 19-22	43	54	3
2011 Oct 6-9	45	53	1
2010 Oct 7-10	39	59	2
2009 Oct 1-4	40	57	4
2008 Oct 3-5	42	56	2
2007 Oct 4-7	42	57	1
2006 Oct 9-12	43	54	3
2005 Oct 13-16	40	59	1
2004 Oct 11-14	38	61	1
2003 Oct 6-8	43	56	1
2002 Oct 14-17	41	58	1
2001 Oct 11-14	40	59	1
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	39	60	1
2000 Apr 7-9	42	57	1
1999 Apr 26-27	34	64	2
1999 Feb 8-9	36	62	2
1997 Aug 22-25	42	57	1
1996 Nov 21-24	44	54	2
1996 Jul 25-28	38	60	2
1993 Dec 17-21	49	50	*
1993 Oct 13-18	51	48	1
1993 Mar 12-14	48	51	1
1991 May 16-19	46	53	1
1991 Mar 21-24	48	51	1
1990 Sep 10-11	47	52	1
1989 Feb 28-Mar 2	47	51	2
1985 Apr 12-15	44	55	1
1983 May 13-16	40	58	2
1980 Jan 2	45	53	2
1975 Oct 3-6	44	54	2
1972 May 23	43	55	2
1968	50	50	--
1965 Jan 7-12	48	52	--
1959 Jul 23-28	49	51	--
Gallup

Gun Ownership: in Home or on Property

Do you have a gun anywhere else on your property such as in your garage, barn, shed, or in your car or truck?

	Gun in home	Gun elsewhere on property	No gun	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2018 Oct 1-10	43	3	53	2
2017 Oct 5-11	42	1	55	2
2016 Oct 5-9	39	1	57	3
2015 Oct 7-11	41	2	55	2
2014 Oct 12-15	42	2	52	4
2013 Oct 3-6	37	2	57	4
2012 Dec 19-22	43	1	53	3
2011 Oct 6-9	45	2	51	1
2010 Oct 7-10	39	2	57	2
2009 Oct 1-4	40	2	55	4
2008 Oct 3-5	42	1	55	1
2007 Oct 4-7	42	2	55	1
2005 Oct 13-16	40	2	57	1
2004 Oct 11-14	38	2	59	1
2003 Oct 6-8	43	2	54	1
2002 Oct 14-17	41	3	55	1
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	39	2	58	1
1999 Feb 8-9	36	6	56	2
1996 Nov 21-24	44	1	53	2
1996 Jul 25-28	38	2	58	2
1993 Dec 17-21	49	5	45	*
1991 May 16-19	46	4	49	1
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Do you personally own a gun, or do the gun or guns in your household belong to another household member?

Based on national adults

	Personally own	Other household member owns	No gun owned	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2018 Oct 1-10	31	15	53	2
2017 Oct 5-11	29	14	55	2
2016 Oct 5-9	29	11	57	3
2015 Oct 7-11	28	15	55	2
2014 Oct 12-15	30	14	52	4
2013 Oct 3-6	27	12	57	4
2012 Dec 19-22	29	15	53	3
2011 Oct 6-9	34	13	51	1
2010 Oct 7-10	28	13	57	2
2009 Oct 1-4	29	13	55	4
2008 Oct 3-5	30	13	55	1
2007 Oct 4-7	28	16	55	1
2005 Oct 13-16	30	12	57	1
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	27	14	58	1
Gallup

Are you for or against a law which would make it illegal to manufacture, sell or possess semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles?

	For	Against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2018 Oct 1-10	40	57	3
2017 Oct 5-11	48	49	3
2016 Oct 5-9	36	61	3
2012 Dec 19-22	44	51	5
2011 Oct 6-9	43	53	5
2004 Oct 11-14	50	46	4
2000 Oct 25-28 ^	59	39	2
1996 Apr 25-28 ^	57	42	1
^ WORDING: Would you vote -- for or against a law which would make it illegal to manufacture, sell, or possess semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles?
Gallup

What is your overall opinion of the National Rifle Association, also known as the NRA -- is it very favorable, mostly favorable, mostly unfavorable or very unfavorable?

	Very favorable	Mostly favorable	Mostly unfavorable	Very unfavorable	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2018 Jun 1-13	28	25	16	26	4
2015 Oct 7-11	26	32	17	18	6
2012 Dec 19-22	21	33	20	18	7
2005 Apr 4-7	18	42	19	15	6
2000 May 23-24	19	33	21	18	9
2000 Apr 7-9	15	36	20	19	10
1999 Apr 26-27	14	37	22	18	9
1995 Jun 5-6	14	28	25	26	7
1993 Mar 12-14	22	33	18	14	13
Gallup

Please tell me whether you favor or oppose each of the following approaches to prevent mass shootings at schools. [RANDOM ORDER]

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
Increased training for police officers and first responders on how to respond to active shootings	95	5	*
Requiring background checks for all gun sales	92	7	1
Installing more security checkpoints and security systems for allowing people into schools	87	13	*
Instituting new programs to identify, assess and manage certain students who may pose a threat	86	13	1
Raising the legal age at which people can purchase certain firearms from 18 to 21	68	30	1
Banning the sale of semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15	56	42	2
Having teachers or other school officials with appropriate training carry guns at school	42	56	2
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup, March 5-11, 2018

Do you think each of the following would be very effective, somewhat effective, not too effective or not effective at all in preventing mass shootings as schools [RANDOM ORDER]

	Very effective	Somewhat effective	Not too effective	Not effective at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
Requiring background checks for all gun sales	70	19	5	5	*
Increased training for police officers and first responders on how to respond to active shootings	60	30	5	5	*
Installing more security checkpoints and security systems for allowing people into schools	54	32	7	6	1
Instituting new programs to identify, assess and manage certain students who may pose a threat	52	32	8	6	3
Banning the sale of semi-automatic weapons such as the AR-15	48	15	7	28	2
Raising the legal age at which people can purchase certain firearms from 18 to 21	40	26	12	21	1
Having teachers or other school officials with appropriate training carry guns at school	27	20	14	39	1
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup, March 5-11, 2018

Next, I'm going to read a list of problems facing the country. For each one, please tell me if you personally worry about this problem a great deal, a fair amount, only a little or not at all? First, how much do you personally worry about the availability of guns?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Only a little	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2018 Mar 1-8	51	19	14	17	*
* Less than 0.5%
Gallup

If you had to choose, which approach to preventing future school shootings should the president and Congress focus on -- [ROTATED: making major changes to the laws on the sale of guns and ammunition, (or) making major changes to school security measures and the mental health system]?

	Laws on guns and ammunition	School security measures/Mental health	No opinion
	%	%	%
2018 Mar 5-11	41	56	4
2013 Jan 19-20	30	65	5
Gallup

In terms of gun laws in the United States, which of the following would you prefer to see happen -- [ROTATE: enforce the current gun laws more strictly and NOT pass new gun laws (or) pass new gun laws in addition to enforcing the current laws more strictly]?

	Enforce current laws more strictly	Pass new laws in addition	No opinion
	%	%	%
2017 Oct 5-11	47	51	2
2012 Dec 19-22	46	47	7
2011 Oct 6-9	60	35	5
2007 Oct 4-7	58	38	4
2006 Oct 9-12	53	43	4
2002 Feb 8-10	60	38	2
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	53	45	2
2000 Apr 28-30 ^	51	44	5
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Please say whether you favor or oppose each of the following. [RANDOM ORDER].

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
Requiring background checks for all gun purchases	96	4	*
Enacting a 30-day waiting period for all gun sales	75	24	1
Requiring all privately-owned guns to be registered with the police	70	29	1
Oct. 5-11, 2017; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

Thinking about how the gun issue might affect your vote for major offices, would you -- only vote for a candidate who shares your views on gun control, would you consider a candidate's position on gun control as just one of many important factors when voting, or would you not consider gun control a major issue?

	Only vote for candidate who shares views	One of many important factors	Not consider guns a major issue	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
Registered voters
2017 Oct 5-11	24	61	12	3
2015 Oct 7-11	26	54	17	4
2000 May 5-7	11	64	23	3
1999 Jun 25-27	15	63	21	1
1999 May 21-23	14	65	19	3
National adults
2017 Oct 5-11	23	59	14	4
2015 Oct 7-11	27	50	19	4
2000 May 5-7	12	63	22	3
1999 Jun 25-27	15	62	21	2
1999 May 21-23	15	64	19	2
Gallup

How worried are you that you or someone in your family will become a victim of a mass shooting -- very worried, somewhat worried, not too worried or not worried at all?

	Very worried	Somewhat worried	Not too worried	Not worried at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2017 Oct 5-11	10	29	34	26	*
2015 Dec 11-12 ^#	11	27	35	27	*
^ Asked of a half sample; # Asked on Gallup Daily Tracking survey
Gallup

If new gun control laws were passed, do you think it would reduce the number of mass shootings in the U.S. -- a great deal, a moderate amount, a little or not at all?

	Great deal	Moderate amount	A little	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2017 Oct 5-11	21	20	16	42	1
Gallup

Which party do you think can do a better job of reflecting your views about gun control -- [ROTATED: the Republican Party (or) the Democratic Party]?

	Republican Party	Democratic Party	Neither (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2015 Oct 7-11	44	38	14	4
1999 Jun 25-27	41	44	6	9
1999 May 23-24	39	42	8	11
(vol.) = volunteered response
Gallup

Would you favor or oppose a law which would require universal background checks for all gun purchases in the U.S. using a centralized database across all 50 states?

	Favor	Oppose	No opinion
	%	%	%
2015 Oct 7-11	86	12	2
Gallup

If such a law were passed, do you think it would reduce the number of mass shootings in the U.S. -- a great deal, a moderate amount, a little or not at all?

	A great deal	A moderate amount	A little	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2015 Oct 7-11	19	28	22	31	1
Gallup

Suppose more Americans were allowed to carry concealed weapons if they passed a criminal background check and training course. If more Americans carried concealed weapons, would the United States be safer or less safe?

	Safer	Less safe	No opinion
	%	%	%
2015 Oct 7-11	56	41	3
Gallup

Do you think having a gun in the house makes it -- [ROTATED: a safer place to be (or) a more dangerous place to be]?

	Safer	More dangerous	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2014 Oct 12-15	63	30	6	1
2006 Oct 9-12	47	43	7	3
2004 Oct 11-14	42	46	10	2
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	35	51	11	3
1993 Dec 17-21 ^	42	52	5	1
(vol.)=volunteered response
Gallup

(Asked of gun owners) There are many reasons why some people choose to own guns and others do not. What are some of the reasons why you own a gun? [OPEN-ENDED]

	2013 Oct 3-6
	%
Personal safety/Protection	60
Hunting	36
Recreation/Sport (nonspecific)	13
Target shooting	8
Second Amendment right	5
Like guns/Wanted one/Enjoy using	5
Antique/Family heirloom/Passed down	5
Have always owned/Raised with guns/Family tradition	4
Related to line of work -- police, military	3
Animal/Pest control/Euthanize sick animals, pets	1
Collect guns/Hobby	1
Other	1
No reason in particular	3
No opinion	--
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses.
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- Easy access to guns?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	40	21	16	20	3
2011 Jan 14-16 ^	46	19	16	18	1
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- Violence in movies, video games and music lyrics?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	32	24	23	20	2
2011 Jan 14-16 ^	31	27	26	15	2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- The spread of extremist viewpoints on the Internet?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	29	28	22	15	6
2011 Jan 14-16 ^	32	31	19	12	6
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- Failure of the mental health system to identify individuals who are a danger to others?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	48	32	11	8	2
2011 Jan 14-16 ^	48	30	11	8	3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- Inflammatory language from prominent political commentators?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	18	19	30	28	6
2011 Jan 14-16 ^	19	25	29	25	3
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- Drug use?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	37	29	17	15	3
2011 Jan 14-16 ^	42	35	16	6	2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

Thinking about mass shootings that have occurred in the United States in recent years, from what you know or have read, how much do you think each of the following factors is to blame for the shootings -- a great deal, a fair amount, not much or not at all? How about -- Insufficient security at public buildings including businesses and schools?

	Great deal	Fair amount	Not much	Not at all	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2013 Sep 17-18	29	29	26	14	2
^ Asked of a half sample
Gallup

As you may know, last week the U.S. Senate voted on, but did not pass, a measure to expand background checks for gun purchases. Do you think the Senate should or should not have passed the measure to expand background checks for gun purchases?

	Yes, should have	No, should not have	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Apr 22-25	65	29	6
Gallup

(Asked of those who do not want Senate to pass bill to expand background checks) What are some of the reasons you did not want the Senate to pass expanded background checks for gun purchases? [OPEN-ENDED]

	2013 Apr 22-25
	%
Violates 2nd Amendment/People have right to own guns	40
Need to enforce gun laws already in place	23
Criminals will always get guns/Will buy on black market	20
Does not work/Does not make a difference/Waste of time	19
Guns aren't problem/People are	11
Privacy issue/Government doesn't need to know about gun purchases	9
Too much bureaucracy/Government too involved/has too much power	6
Other	10
No opinion	3
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Require background checks for all gun purchases?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Apr 22-25	83	17	1
2013 Jan 19-20 ^	91	8	2
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Reinstate and strengthen the ban on assault weapons that was in place from 1994 to 2004?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Apr 22-25	56	41	4
2013 Jan 19-20	60	35	5
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Limit the sale of ammunition magazines to those with 10 rounds or less?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Apr 22-25	51	45	4
2013 Jan 19-20	54	43	3
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Increase government spending for mental health programs for young people?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Apr 22-25	79	18	3
2013 Jan 19-20	82	15	3
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Increase government spending for training police officers, first responders and school officials on how to respond to active armed attacks?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jan 19-20	79	19	2
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Increase criminal penalties for people who pass the required background check but who buy a gun for someone who has not passed a background check?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jan 19-20	75	23	2
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Spend $4 billion of federal government money to help keep 15,000 police officers on the street?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jan 19-20	70	24	6
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Spend $30 million of federal government money to help schools develop emergency response plans?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jan 19-20	69	27	4
Gallup

Next, suppose that on Election Day you could vote on key issues as well as candidates. Would you vote for or against a law that would -- Ban the possession of armor-piercing bullets by anyone other than members of the military and law enforcement?

	Vote for	Vote against	No opinion
	%	%	%
2013 Jan 19-20	67	30	3
Gallup

How often does the NRA reflect your views about guns -- always, most of the time, only sometimes or never?

	Always	Most of the time	Only some of the time	Never	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%
2012 Dec 19-22	6	29	32	29	4
1999 Feb 8-9	6	19	36	31	8
1996 Jul 25-28	5	15	35	35	10
Gallup

Just your opinion, what do you think are the one or two most important things that could be done to prevent mass shootings from occurring in the United States? [OPEN-ENDED]

	2011 Jan 14-16
	%
Stricter gun control laws	24
Better mental health screening/Better mental health support	15
More education/Teach children about violence/proper use of guns	9
More extensive background checks for those buying guns	8
Need stricter security measures for public gatherings	6
Ban handguns/bullets	5
Americans need to be aware/speak up about possible dangers	4
Better parenting/Hold parents accountable	4
Allow people to carry guns for their own protection	4
Bring God/morality back into people's lives	4
Tougher criminal justice/sentencing	3
Better enforcement of existing gun laws	3
Less media coverage of shootings/Don't sensationalize	2
Restrict sale of automatic handguns	2
Better cooperation/communication between political parties	1
Improve the economy/More jobs	1
Crack down on illegal immigration	1
Other	4
Nothing	11
No opinion	12
Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses
Gallup

Do you believe the Second Amendment to the U.S. constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to own guns, or do you believe it only guarantees members of state militias such as National Guard units the right to own guns?

	Americans own guns	State militia members own guns	No opinion
	%	%	%
National adults
2008 Feb 8-10	73	20	7
Gun owners
2008 Feb 8-10	91	6	3
Gun non-owners
2008 Feb 8-10	63	28	9
Gallup

Have you, personally, ever fired a gun, or not?

	Yes, have	No, have not	No opinion
	%	%	%
2007 Oct 4-7	69	31	*
1999 Mar 5-7 ^	67	32	1
1993 Dec 17-19 ^	79	21	*
* Less than 0.5%; ^ WORDING: Have you ever fired a gun?
Gallup

(Asked of gun owners) Next, please tell me whether you own a gun for each of the following reasons. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

	Yes	No	No opinion
	%	%	%
For hunting
2005 Oct 13-16	58	41	1
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	59	41	--
For target shooting
2005 Oct 13-16	66	34	--
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	67	33	--
For protection against crime
2005 Oct 13-16	67	33	--
2000 Aug 29-Sep 5	65	35	--
Gallup

Do you think courtrooms would be safer places or more dangerous places if judges were armed with guns?

	Safer	More dangerous	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2005 Apr 4-7	43	50	2	5
(vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

Do you think schools would be safer places or more dangerous places if school officials were armed with guns?

	Safer	More dangerous	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2005 Apr 4-7	22	73	2	3
(vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

Do you think airplanes would be safer places or more dangerous places if pilots were armed with guns?

	Safer	More dangerous	Depends (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2005 Apr 4-7	62	33	2	3
(vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

Which of the following do you think should be allowed to carry a concealed firearm in a public place, such as a restaurant or movie theater -- only government safety officials, such as police officers, only government officials or private citizens who have a clear need for a weapon, such as those who transport large amounts of cash, or any private citizen, except those who would be a potential threat to public safety, such as convicted criminals?

	Only safety officials	Only those with clear need	Any private citizen	Any one (vol.)	No one (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%	%	%
2004 Nov 19-21	44	26	27	*	2	1
(vol.)=volunteered response; * Less than 0.5%
Gallup

If you were in a public place such as a restaurant or movie theater, would you feel more safe -- or less safe -- if you knew concealed firearms were allowed?

	More safe	Less safe	No difference (vol.)	No opinion
	%	%	%	%
2004 Nov 19-21	25	65	8	2
(vol.) = Volunteered response
Gallup

Related Topics Include:

Rating World Leaders: 2016

Recommended

Americans Most Satisfied With Nation's Military, Security

Snapshot: Majority in U.S. Now Oppose Ban on Assault Rifles

Six in 10 Americans Support Stricter Gun Laws

Direction From the American Public on Gun Policy