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Gun Policy

short readMar 5, 2025

While the number of gun deaths in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive year in 2023, it remained among the highest annual totals on record.

short readJul 24, 2024

A customer shops for a handgun at a gun store in Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

About six-in-ten U.S. adults (58%) favor stricter gun laws. Another 26% say that U.S. gun laws are about right, while 15% favor less strict gun laws.

short readApr 11, 2024

59% of public K-12 teachers say they are at least somewhat worried about the possibility of a shooting ever happening at their school.

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Gun Policy

Publications

data essayJan 10, 2017

How America Changed During Barack Obama’s Presidency

Pew Research Center President Michael Dimock examines the changes – some profound, some subtle – that the U.S. experienced during Barack Obama’s presidency.
reportAug 26, 2016

Opinions on Gun Policy and the 2016 Campaign

For the past several years, large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans have favored making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks.
short readsOct 21, 2015

Gun homicides steady after decline in ’90s; suicide rate edges up

Although most Americans think the number of gun crimes has risen, the U.S. gun homicide rate has actually stabilized somewhat in recent years.
short readsApr 17, 2015

Despite lower crime rates, support for gun rights increases

In December 2014, the balance of opinion flipped: For the first time, more Americans say protecting gun rights (52%) is more important than controlling gun ownership (46%).
short readsJan 9, 2015

A public opinion trend that matters: Priorities for gun policy

Surveys have found a shift in gun policy attitudes over time. Here’s a look at how public opinion on the subject is measured.
short readsJul 15, 2014

The demographics and politics of gun-owning households

Americans with young children in their home are just as likely as other adults to have a gun in their household.
short readsApr 24, 2014

5 facts about the NRA and guns in America

#5: 37% of adults reported having a gun in their household in 2013.
short readsDec 31, 2013

As 2014 brings new state laws, a look at public opinion on the issues

Every new year means adding thousands of new state laws to the books. This year’s wide range includes everything from tanning bed age limits (Illinois), to a new ban on selling shark fins (Delaware). While most new laws represent incremental change, sometimes state laws can also signal broader movement on a public policy issue or […]
short readsDec 13, 2013

Chart of the Week: Most new gun laws since Newtown ease restrictions

In the year since the Newtown school shootings, most new state gun laws have loosened rather than tightened restrictions.
short readsDec 12, 2013

A year after Newtown, little change in public opinion on guns

After the horrific shootings at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., a year ago claiming the lives of 20 children and six adults, there was a sense in the country – especially among gun-control supporters — that the tragedy would be different from similar ones in the past and push the nation to action. But ultimately, a sustained change in public opinion did not materialize, and a bill to tighten gun laws died in the Senate.