A steady majority of Americans continue to support stricter gun laws, with 56% favoring tougher regulations on firearm sales, according to Gallup’s latest Crime poll conducted in October. However, support for a ban on handguns has fallen to near-record lows, highlighting stark divides in public opinion on gun policy.
While 33% of Americans are satisfied with current gun laws, only 10% advocate for less regulation. Support for stricter laws has remained consistent over the past three years, far below the 78% peak recorded in 1990 during a period of high crime rates.
Calls for gun control often surge after high-profile mass shootings, as seen after the 2022 Uvalde, Texas, school shooting, when support for stricter laws briefly jumped to 66%. This wave of urgency typically subsides as media attention wanes.
The poll shows sharp partisan divides on gun policy. Nearly 90% of Democrats support stricter regulations, compared to 56% of independents and just 25% of Republicans. Most Republicans (59%) prefer maintaining current laws, while 15% favor loosening restrictions.
On assault weapons, Americans remain divided. A slim majority (52%) support banning the manufacture, sale, and possession of semiautomatic rifles, down from 61% in 2019. Democrats overwhelmingly back the ban (82%), while support among independents (50%) and Republicans (27%) lags significantly.
Public sentiment on handguns reflects a long-term decline in support for a ban. Only 20% of Americans favor outlawing handgun ownership for unauthorized individuals, down seven points from last year. The figure is statistically tied with the 19% record low observed in the 65 years since Gallup began tracking the issue.
Democrats’ support for a handgun ban has dropped significantly, falling 16 points since 2023 to a new low of 33%. Republican support remains at 6%, while 22% of independents back a ban, consistent with recent years.
Americans broadly support stricter gun laws, particularly on assault weapons, but outright bans—especially on handguns—lack widespread backing. Democrats continue to lead calls for tighter restrictions, though their enthusiasm for a handgun ban has waned. Gun control remains a low-ranking national concern but could surge to prominence again if another high-profile shooting occurs.
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