From the Left
This article is from a writer rated Lean Left.
Gun control and gun rights are issues many Americans see themselves as being divided on. But some recent surveys have found that many Republicans and Democrats share significant overlaps when it comes to gun restrictions.
Check out these surveys:
- A 2024 Pew Research poll found multi-partisan agreement among voters:
- 88% of Republicans and 89% of Democrats believe that policy should restrict mentally ill individuals from owning firearms.
- 69% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats agree that the legal age to purchase a firearm should be increased to 21.
- A 2023 Fox News poll (Right) indicated strong voter support for several gun control measures. The most popular initiatives, backed by over 80% of voters, included: requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers (87%), improving enforcement of existing gun laws (81%), raising the legal age for gun purchases to 21 (81%), requiring mental health checks for gun buyers (80%), and allowing police to confiscate guns from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others (80%). Additionally, a 30-day waiting period for all gun purchases received significant support at 77%.
- A 2023 John Hopkins survey suggested many cross-party similarities on gun reform and safety:
- 88% of Democrats and 76.5% of Republicans support the temporary removal of firearms from an individual under a Domestic Violence Protection Order (DVPO).
- A majority of Americans, 72%, believe that a license from law enforcement should be required before purchasing a firearm. This view is shared by 87.3% of Democrats and 61.2% of Republicans.
- 72% of Americans believe gun owners should lock firearms away when not in use. This view is shared by 86.5% of Democrats and 58.5% of Republicans.
- 69% of Americans support funding for social programs centered around gun violence prevention. 86.7% of Democrats & 54.4% of Republicans support this.
- According to data from 2023 Mood of the Nation Poll by the McCourtney Institute for Democracy:
- A substantial majority—86% of U.S. adults—support federal legislation mandating background checks for all firearm sales and transfers,
- 60% of Pro-2nd Amendment advocates support a test and license required for owning a firearm, just like owning a car. 85% of those who oppose eliminating gun restriction laws agree. 73% of total Americans agree.
- 52% of Pro-2nd Amendment advocates support a ban on semi-automatic assault-style firearms while 72% of the opposition agree. 63% of total Americans agree.
Hyria Stuart is a college student currently studying in Beijing. He majors in social work and serves as a political research assistant (American/international politics) at Boston College while planning to pursue a graduate degree (Public Administration/Policy) in the U.S. He has been interning as a policy analyst and editor since April 2020, focusing on nonpartisan proposals seeking to bring Americans together. He helped re-elect Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) in 2020 as a campaign intern. Hyria has published in “Raise the Voices.” His political bias is Lean Left.
This piece was edited by AllSides.com Managing Editor Henry A. Brechter (Center bias), and was reviewed by James Coan (Center) of Braver Angels.
