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Guns

Trend: Do You Have a Gun in Your Home?

Trend: Do You Feel That the Laws Covering the Sale of Firearms Should Be Made More Strict, Less Strict, or Kept as They Are?

Trend: 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?

Trend: 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? (Asked of those dissatisfied) Would you like to see gun laws in this country made more strict, less strict, or remain as they are?

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

%

%

%

%

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

* Less than 0.5%

^ Asked of half sample

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?

Should

Should not

No opinion

%

%

%

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

42

50

8

1981 Jun

41

54

5

1981 Apr

39

58

3

1980 Dec

38

51

11

1980 Jan

31

65

4

1975

41

55

4

1965

49

44

7

1959

60

36

4

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

%

%

%

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 half sample

Do you have a gun in your home?

Yes

No

No
opinion

%

%

%

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

--

* Less than 0.5%

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

Gun
in home

Gun
elsewhere

No
gun

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

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%

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

Personally
own

Other
household
member
owns

No gun
owned

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

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

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

%

%

%

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: Now, I am going to read several propositions that would prohibit and make illegal certain activities. First, 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?

Next, I'm going to read a list of actions Congress could take this year. Please say whether you strongly favor, favor, oppose or strongly oppose Congress doing each of the following this year. How about -- [RANDOM ORDER]?

Pass stronger gun control laws

Strongly
favor

Favor

Oppose

Strongly
oppose

No
opinion

%

%

%

%

%

2011 Jan 14-16

26

23

23

27

2

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 (vol.)

11

No opinion

12

(vol.) = Volunteered response

Percentages total more than 100% due to multiple responses

Just your best guess, do you think Barack Obama will attempt to ban the sale of guns in the United States while he is president, or not?

Yes, will

No, will not

No opinion

2009 Oct 1-4

41%

52

7

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?

Guarantees
Americans
right to
own guns

Only
guarantees
members of
state militias

No
opinion

%

%

%

2008 Feb 8-10

73

20

7

Gun owners ^

91

6

3

Gun non-owners ^

63

28

9

^ Based on 373 gun owners; ±6 pct. pts.; Based on 630 gun non-owners; ±4 pct. pts.

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

Yes, have

No, have not

No opinion

2007 Oct 4-7

69%

31

*

* Less than 0.5%

Do you personally own a handgun, rifle, shotgun or any other kind of firearm?

Yes

No

No opinion

%

%

%

2007 May 10-13

30

69

1

2007 May 4-6

32

65

2

2004 Nov 19-21

31

66

3

2004 Oct 29-31 ^

32

66

2

2000 May 5-7

33

64

2

^ Asked of a half sample

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

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

(vol.) = Volunteered response

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

[BASED ON ADULTS WHO PERSONALLY OWN A GUN]

A. For hunting

Yes

No

No opinion

2005 Oct 13-16

58%

41

1

2000 Aug 29-Sep 5

59%

41

--

B. For target shooting

Yes

No

No opinion

2005 Oct 13-16

66%

34

--

2000 Aug 29-Sep 5

67%

33

--

C. For protection against crime

Yes

No

No opinion

2005 Oct 13-16

67%

33

--

2000 Aug 29-Sep 5

65%

35

--

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

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

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

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

%

%

%

%

%

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

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
who have
clear need

Any
private
citizen

Any one
(vol.)

No one
(vol.)

No
opinion

2004 Nov 19-21

44%

26

27

*

2

1

* Less than 0.5%

(vol.) = Volunteered response

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

Do you personally own a handgun, rifle, shotgun or any other kind of firearm?

Yes

No

No opinion

2004 Nov 19-21

31

66

3
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