Crime
Egyptians' Safety Fears Mount After Revolution
But fewer report being assaulted or having money stolen
November 1, 2011
Twice as many Egyptians fear walking alone at night than before the revolution earlier this year, even though fewer report being a victim of theft or assault. Egyptians were more likely to feel safe in March and April if they got their news about the protests from state television than if they did not.
Record-Low 26% in U.S. Favor Handgun Ban
Support for stricter gun laws in general is lowest Gallup has measured
October 26, 2011
A record-low 26% of Americans favor a ban on handguns in the U.S. Also, for the first time, Americans are more likely to oppose (53%) than favor (43%) a ban on assault rifles. More broadly, Americans' support for stricter handgun laws and passage of new gun laws is the lowest Gallup has measured.
Americans Express Mixed Confidence in Criminal Justice System
Current views far more positive than those recorded in 1990s and late 2000s
July 11, 2011
Prior to the recent verdict in the Casey Anthony trial, Americans had middling confidence in the nation's criminal justice system. The plurality of Americans, 42% expressed "some" confidence in the system, while about equal numbers had a great deal/quite a lot (28%) or very little/none (29%).
Gallup News Minute: Attention Paid to Casey Anthony Verdict
July 8, 2011
Gallup Editor-in-Chief Frank Newport reveals in this week's Gallup News Minute audio cast that the percentage of Americans who are paying close attention to the verdict in the Casey Anthony murder trial is far below average compared with other past news events.
Americans Link Gun Laws, Mental Health to Mass Shootings
Majority assign "a great deal" of blame to mental health system in Tucson shootings
January 24, 2011
Americans are most likely to say changes relating to gun laws (24%) and the mental health system (15%) are most important in preventing mass shootings. The same two issues lead Americans' list of what is to blame in the Tucson shootings, and in mass shootings in general.
Most Doubt Political Rhetoric a Major Factor in Ariz. Shootings
Four in 10 say it was not a factor at all; 22%, a minor factor
January 12, 2011
Even though most Americans think Republicans and Democrats go too far in criticizing their opponents, a majority dismiss attempts to link the recent Arizona shootings to conservative rhetoric. More generally, one in five believe heated political debate was a major factor in the shootings.
In U.S., 11% of Households Report Computer Crimes, a New High
Self-reports of other types of crime largely unchanged
December 13, 2010
One in nine Americans say they or a household member was the victim of a computer or Internet crime in the past year. That's a new high in Gallup trends since 2003, but still lower than the percentage experiencing traditional theft of property or vandalism.
In U.S., Continuing Record-Low Support for Stricter Gun Control
Fewer than 3 in 10 support law banning handguns except for police and authorized personnel
November 22, 2010
For the second year in a row, a record-low 44% of Americans say laws governing the sale of firearms should be made more strict, while 42% say gun laws should be kept as they are now. Twelve percent say gun laws should be made less strict.
Americans Still Perceive Crime as on the Rise
Two-thirds say crime increasing in U.S., 49% in their local area
November 18, 2010
Two-thirds of Americans say there is more crime in the United States, and 49% say there is more crime in their local area, than a year ago. This reflects Americans' general tendency to see crime rates as increasing rather than decreasing, even as government statistics note a continued drop in crime rates.
In U.S., 64% Support Death Penalty in Cases of Murder
Half say death penalty not imposed often enough
November 8, 2010
Two in three Americans (64%) continue to support the use of the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, while 29% oppose it -- continuing a trend that has shown little change over the last seven years.
Related Items
Nearly 4 in 10 Americans Still Fear Walking Alone at Night
November 5, 2010
Congress Ranks Last in Confidence in Institutions
July 22, 2010
Congolese Hopeful About Peace in Eastern Congo
April 27, 2010
Majority in Mexico Share Neighborhoods With Gangs
April 9, 2010
Rape Troubles Nearly All in South Africa
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