Public opinion polling on gun policy

Health Aff (Millwood). 1993 Winter;12(4):198-208. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.12.4.198.

Abstract

Faced with the national epidemic of gun violence, legislators should be especially sensitive to their constituents' support for various policy options. This support is best evidenced by well-conducted public opinion polls. We review public opinion polls on gun policy since 1987. Although the public support for a number of promising interventions targeting the design and manufacture of firearms has not been meaningfully investigated, strong support is evidenced for most other gun-control options. The public also believes, contrary to Supreme Court rulings, that the Second Amendment to the Constitution protects a broad individual right to bear arms.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Attitude to Health
  • Data Collection
  • Firearms / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Firearms / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Public Opinion*
  • Public Policy*
  • United States