Public remains closely divided over controlling gun ownership versus protecting gun rights, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposing views | Pew Research Center

July 24, 2024

Key facts about Americans and guns

Public remains closely divided over controlling gun ownership versus protecting gun rights, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposing views

Public remains closely divided over controlling gun ownership versus protecting gun rights, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposing views

Download

Public remains closely divided over controlling gun ownership versus protecting gun rights, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposing views

1…3 456 7…13

Infographic Gallery

Key facts about Americans and guns
Men, White adults, Republicans among the most likely to say gun ownership does more to increase safety than to reduce it
Americans are split on whether it is more important
Majority of U.S. adults view an increase in the number of guns as bad for society
The share of Americans who view gun violence as a major problem has declined since last year
Public remains closely divided over controlling gun ownership versus protecting gun rights, with Republicans and Democrats holding opposing views
A majority of teachers are at least somewhat worried about a shooting occurring at their school
Bipartisan support for preventing people with mental illnesses from purchasing guns, but wide differences on other policies
Women are more likely than men to favor stricter gun laws in the U.S.
About 6 in 10 Americans say it is too easy to legally obtain a gun in this country
Non-gun owners are divided on whether they could see themselves owning a gun in the future
Differences in feelings about guns between gun owners and non-owners in gun households
Nearly three-quarters of U.S. gun owners cite protection as a major reason they own a gun
Nearly a third of U.S. adults say they personally own a gun