New Poll Reveals Public Opinion of Firearms in Society

A new poll reveals that the public is conflicted on the subject of firearms. It sheds some light on how public opinion influences firearms manufacturers and legal issues.

Poll Results Fall on Either Side
According to a press release, a poll taken by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute shows that 60 percent of those surveyed in the U.S. believe there should be some form of “new, additional limited licensing or permitting, and some restrictions on certain firearms, such as assault weapons, are necessary.”

The remaining 24.9 percent polled (1,105 adults) in an online survey in March thought there should be “no new, additional regulations or control of firearms for any reason.”

Furthermore, 7.6 percent of respondents expressed that firearms “should not be owned privately.”

Over three-quarters (78.3 percent) of Americans surveyed in the poll report that the “issue of gun control and gun rights will be very (49.3 percent) or somewhat important (29 percent) to them when the November 2016 elections come around.”

35.1 percent report being more likely to support a candidate in the upcoming election who “opposes any new, additional controls on firearms.” A larger group supports candidates who support some ownership control.

The report noted that a similar poll taken online in Florida of 540 residents produced similar results.

The Saint Leo poll went on to show that 82.8 percent of those surveyed “strongly and somewhat agree that active duty military should allowed to carry their firearms on U.S. military bases within the United States.” This number might be linked with the high-profile mass shootings that have occurred around the country and that citizens are concerned.

Support for open-carry laws was up to 55.1 percent of respondents indicating they “strongly or somewhat agree that there should laws allowing qualified citizens to openly carry firearms (with exceptions such as day care centers and schools).” The poll interestingly shows that 83.7 percent of respondents think firearm purchasers should also undergo mental health background checks in addition to criminal background checks.

Many Influences on Public Opinion Still Remain
It’s still unclear as to exactly what helps to shape these conflicted feelings about firearms. The news and popular culture have significant influence.

Firearms manufacturers report increases in sales and sheriff’s offices report increases in concealed carry applications after violent incidents are reported on the news. It appears that these situations demonstrate the need for protection.

Negative views might be influenced by how firearms are portrayed in popular culture, being associated with the violence of music, television, video games, and movies. When the act of shooting is on screen, many might feel less of a connection.

Ultimately, public opinion is what sways governmental decisions. These legal decisions have a direct impact on personal use of firearms.