National support for gun policies among U.S. adults in 2019 and 2021. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Gun-related deaths and gun purchases were at record highs in 2020. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, public protests against police violence, and a tense political environment, which may influence policy preferences, we aimed to understand the current state of support for gun policies in the U.S. We fielded a national public opinion survey in January 2019 and January 2021 using an online panel to measure support for 34 gun policies among U.S. adults. We compared support over time, by gun ownership status, and by political party affiliation. Most respondents supported 33 of the 34 gun regulations studied. Support for seven restrictive policies declined from 2019 to 2021, driven by reduced support among non-gun owners. Support declined for three permissive policies: allowing legal gun carriers to bring guns onto college campuses or K-12 schools and stand your ground laws. Public support for gun-related policies decreased from 2019 to 2021, driven by decreased support among Republicans and non-gun owners.

publication date

  • September 8, 2022

Research

keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Firearms

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC9992456

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85138123276

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107242

PubMed ID

  • 36087625

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 164