Poll Watch: Quinnipiac National Survey on Gun Control

Quinnipiac National Poll on Gun Control

Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? 

• Support 56%
• Oppose 39%

Among Democrats

• Support 81%
• Oppose 16%

Among Republicans

• Support 39%
  
• Oppose 55%

Among Independents

• Support 50%
• Oppose 46%

Among Men

• Support 44%
  
• Oppose 53%

Among Women

• Support 68%
• Oppose 27%

Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets?

• Support 56%
• Oppose 40%

Among Democrats

• Support 77%
• Oppose 20%

Among Republicans

• Support 37%
  
• Oppose 58%

Among Independents

• Support 55%
• Oppose 42%

Among Men

• Support 46%
  
• Oppose 51%

Among Women

• Support 65%
• Oppose 30%

Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers?

• Support 92%
• Oppose 7%

Survey of 1,772 registered voters was conducted January 30 - February 4, 2013.  The margin of error is +/- 2.3 percentage points. Party ID: 33% Democrat; 24% Republican; 34% Independent.

Poll Watch: Quinnipiac New York Survey on Governor Andrew Cuomo

Quinnipiac New York Poll on Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Andrew Cuomo is handling his job as Governor?

• Approve 59% [74%] (70%) {73%} [71%] (68%) {69%} [68%] (65%) {66%} [62%] (64%) {61%} [64%] (56%)
• Disapprove 28% [13%] (16%) {16%} [16%] (19%) {19%} [17%] (19%) {17%} [22%] (19%) {18%} [16%] (15%)

Among Democrats

• Approve 74% [82%] (73%) {80%} [76%] (67%) {75%} [71%] (70%) {72%} [69%] (75%) {66%} [66%] (56%)
• Disapprove 14% [9%] (12%) {10%} [11%] (20%) {16%} [12%] (17%) {14%} [16%] (13%) {18%} [15%] (14%)

Among Republicans

• Approve 44% [68%] (66%) {69%} [68%] (67%) {64%} [63%] (66%) {61%} [53%] (53%) {59%} [58%] (57%)
• Disapprove 43% [18%] (21%) {19%} [20%] (24%) {21%} [25%] (19%) {20%} [33%] (26%) {22%} [18%] (14%)

Among Independents

• Approve 54% [70%] (71%) {72%} [69%] (73%) {71%} [69%] (64%) {61%} [63%] (61%) {57%} [66%] (59%)
• Disapprove 32% [12%] (15%) {17%} [19%] (14%) {15%} [17%] (18%) {21%} [20%] (19%) {15%} [15%] (14%)

Survey of 1,127 New York State voters was conducted January 23-28, 2013. The margin of error is +/- 2.9 percentage points. Party ID: 41% [46%] (44%) {40%} [42%] (41%) {40%} [41%] (39%) {41%} [40%] Democrat; 21% [21%] (22%) {21%} [22%] (20%) {25%} [21%] (20%) {18%} [22%] Republican; 29% [25%] (28%) {30%} [29%] (31%) {25%} [32%] (33%) {33%} [31%] Independent.  Results from the poll conducted December 5-10, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted September 4-9, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted July 17-23, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted May 22-28, 2012 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted March 28 - April 2, 2012 are in parentheses.  Results from the poll conducted February 8-13, 2012 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted December 12-18, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted October 18-24, 2011 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted September 13-18, 2011 are in curly brackets.  Results from the poll conducted August 3-8, 2011 are in square brackets.  Results from the poll conducted June 20-26, 2011 are in parentheses. Results from the poll conducted May 24-30, 2011 are in curly brackets. Results from the poll conducted April 5-11, 2011 are in square brackets. Results from the poll conducted February 15-21, 2011 are in parentheses.

Poll Watch: Washington Post-ABC News Survey on Gun Control

Washington Post-ABC News Poll on Gun Control

Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on semi-automatic handguns, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled?

• Support 51%
• Oppose 46%

Note: 66% of Democrats, 47% of Independents, and 40% of Republicans support a ban on semi-automatic handguns; as do 40% of men and 60% of women. Sixty-four percent (64%) of non-gun owners, but only 36% of gun-owning households also back a ban on semi-automatics.
 
Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on high-capacity ammunition clips, meaning those containing more than 10 bullets?

• Support 65%
• Oppose 32% 

Note: 81% of Dems, 60% of Indies, and 59% in GOP support a ban on high-capacity clips; as do 57% of men and 72% of women. Seventy-five percent (75%) of non-gun owners and 55% of gun-owning households also back such a ban.

Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons?

• Support 58%
• Oppose 39%

Note: 76% of Democrats, 54% of Independents, and 45% of Republicans support an assault weapons ban; as do 50% of men and 66% of women. Seventy-one percent (71%) of non-gun owners, but just 45% of gun-owning households also back a ban on the sale of assault weapons.

Would you support or oppose a law requiring background checks on people buying guns at gun shows?

• Support 88%
• Oppose 11%

Would you support or oppose a law requiring placing an armed guard in every school in the country?

• Support 55%
• Oppose 42%

Would you support or oppose a law requiring the creation of a new federal database to track all gun sales in this country?

• Support 71%
• Oppose 27%

Would you support or oppose a law requiring background checks on anyone buying gun ammunition?

• Support 76%
• Oppose 22%

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable impression of the leadership of the National Rifle Association?

• Favorable 36%
• Unfavorable 44%

Note: While 55% of Republicans have a favorable impression of the NRA, only 24% of Democrats and 35% of Independents view them favorably; as do 45% of men, but just 28% of women. Although 52% of gun-owning households have a favorable impression of the NRA, only 22% of non-gun owners share their positive views of the gun lobby group.

Do you think the National Rifle Association has too much influence, too little influence, or the right amount of influence over gun control laws in this country?

• Too much 38%
• Too little 24%
• Right amount 30%

Thinking about the elementary school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut last month – would you say this incident has made you more likely to support some forms of gun control, less likely to support some forms of gun control, or made no difference in your opinion on gun control?

• More likely 52%
• Less likely 5%
• No difference 42%

Do you or does anyone in your house own a gun, or not?

• Yes 44%
• No 56%

Note: 32% of Democrats, 44% of Independents, and 59% of Republicans live in gun-owning households.  While 52% of men are in gun-owning homes, only 37% of women live in armed households.
 
Survey of 1,001 adults was conducted January 10-13, 2013. The margin of error is +/- 3.5 percentage points. Party ID: 33% Democrat; 24% Republican; 37% Independent.

TODAY: Interview with Chris Christie

Chris Christie on Good Morning America

Chris Christie on CBS This Morning

Chris Christie on Morning Joe

Poll Watch: PPP (D) Survey on the NRA and Guns

PPP (D) Poll on the NRA and Guns

Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of the National Rifle Association?

• Favorable 42%
• Unfavorable 45%

Among Democrats

• Favorable 22%
• Unfavorable 67%

Among Republicans

• Favorable 66%
• Unfavorable 18%

Among Independents

• Favorable 50%
• Unfavorable 40%

Among Moderates

• Favorable 32%
• Unfavorable 59%

Among Men

• Favorable 46%
• Unfavorable 43%

Among Women

• Favorable 38%
• Unfavorable 48%

Have Gun in Household 

• Favorable 58%
• Unfavorable 31%

No Gun in Household 

• Favorable 28%
• Unfavorable 59%

Would you support or oppose Congress passing stricter gun laws?

• Support 53%
• Oppose 40%

Among Democrats

• Support 76%
• Oppose 20%

Among Republicans

• Support 25%
• Oppose 63%

Among Independents

• Support 45%
• Oppose 47%

Among Moderates

• Support 63%
• Oppose 30%

Among Men

• Support 45%
• Oppose 51%

Among Women

• Support 61%
• Oppose 28%

Have Gun in Household 

• Support 39%
• Oppose 54%

No Gun in Household 

• Support 66%
• Oppose 26%

Would you support or oppose putting armed police officers in every school in the country?

• Support 41%
• Oppose 50%

Would you support or oppose providing teachers with guns?

• Support 27%
• Oppose 64%

Survey of 1,100 registered voters was conducted January 3-6, 2013. The margin of error is +/- 3.0 percentage points. Party ID: 43% Democrat; 34% Republican; 23% Independent/Other.  Political ideology: 29% Moderate; 24% Somewhat conservative; 17% Somewhat liberal; 16% Very conservative; 13% Very liberal. 

Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) Survey on Gun Control

Rasmussen (R) Poll on Gun Control 

Should a strict background check be required for anyone to buy a gun? 

• Yes 86%
• No 10%
  

If someone wants to buy a gun, should there be a three-day waiting period before they are allowed to get the gun? 

• Yes 73%
• No 16%
  

If someone wants to buy a gun, should they be required to take a gun safety course first? 

• Yes 73%
• No 23%
  

National survey of 1,000 adults was conducted January 6-7, 2013. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.

Inside the numbers: 

Most adults with a gun already in their family strongly support these measures, but they are less enthusiastic about the waiting period and the gun safety course than families without a gun.

While Americans living in rural areas are generally less supportive of stricter gun control than those living in cities and suburbs, there is strong support in all three groups for strict background checks, safety courses and waiting periods for potential gun owners. Support for waiting periods and safety courses is slightly higher among city and suburb inhabitants.

Men and women show equal support for background checks, but women are more supportive of a required waiting period and gun safety courses.

Democrats show greater support for all three requirements than Republicans and those not affiliated with either major political party do.

President Barack Obama on Meet the Press

Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) Survey on Gun Control

Rasmussen (R) Poll on Gun Control 

Should there be a ban on the purchase of semi-automatic and assault type weapons?

• Yes 55%
• No 36%
  

National survey of 1,000 adults was conducted December 19-20, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.

Inside the numbers: 

Most women favor a ban on the sale of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons. Men are evenly divided.

Seventy-seven percent (77%) of Democrats and 52% of those not affiliated with either major party support a ban; 59% of Republicans do not.

Forty-three percent (43%) of those who have a gun in the family favor a ban on semi-automatic and assault-type weapons, compared to 69% of those in non-gun owning families.

Poll Watch: PPP/Daily Kos/SEIU (D) Survey on Gun Control

PPP/Daily Kos/SEIU (D) Poll on Gun Control

Would you support or oppose requiring a criminal background check before any purchase of a gun? 

• Support 92%
• Oppose 6%

Would you support or oppose requiring a mental health examination before any purchase of a gun? 

• Support 63%
• Oppose 28%

Would you support or oppose banning assault weapons? 

• Support 63%
• Oppose 32%

Would you support or oppose banning the sale of guns and bullets over the Internet?

• Support 69%
• Oppose 26%

Would you support or oppose closing the so-called 'gun-show loophole,' which allows unlicensed dealers to sell guns at gun shows without performing criminal background checks?

• Support 76%
• Oppose 19%

Would you support or oppose prohibiting felons convicted of violent crimes from purchasing guns? 

• Support 94%
• Oppose 5%

Would you support or oppose banning high-capacity magazines on guns - magazines capable of holding more than ten bullets?

• Support 64%
• Oppose 31%

Do you think assault weapons are necessary for hunting, or not? 

• They are necessary 18%
• They are not 76%

Are you more or less interested in owning a gun today than you were before last week's shooting in Connecticut, or has there been no change in your level of interest?  

• More interested 22%
  
• Less interested 30%
• No change 47% 

Do you think the answer to gun-related violence is more widespread gun ownership or tighter restrictions on gun ownership?  

• More widespread gun ownership 32%
  
• Tighter restrictions on gun ownership 48% 

Do you think the guns are a necessary check on government tyranny, or not?  

• They are a necessary check on tyranny 39%
  
• They are not 40%
  

Survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted December 18-19, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.1 percentage points.  Party ID: 37% Democrat; 32% Republican; 31% Independent/Other.  Political views: 43% Moderate; 39% Conservative; 18% Liberal.

Poll Watch: CNN/ORC Survey on Gun Rights

CNN/ORC Poll on Gun Rights 

Please tell me whether you would generally favor or oppose each of the following proposals which some people have made to reduce the amount of gun violence: 

A ban on the manufacture, sale and possession of semi-automatic assault guns, such as the AK-47 

• Favor 62%
• Oppose 37%

Among Men

• Favor 50%
• Oppose 49%

Among Women

• Favor 74%
• Oppose 25%

A ban on the sale and possession of equipment known as high-capacity or extended ammunition clips, which allow some guns to shoot more than 10 bullets before they need to be reloaded

• Favor 62%
• Oppose 37%

Among Men

• Favor 53%
• Oppose 46%

Among Women

• Favor 71%
• Oppose 29%

Limiting the number of guns an individual can own

• Favor 48%
  
• Oppose 52%

Among Men

• Favor 35%
• Oppose 65%

Among Women

• Favor 61%
• Oppose 39%

Have the shootings in Connecticut made you more likely to support stricter gun control laws, less likely to support stricter gun control laws, or has your opinion on gun control not changed as a result of the shootings in Connecticut? 

• More likely 43% 
• Less likely 7% 
• No change 50%

Among Men

• More likely 35% 
• Less likely 10% 
• No change 55%

Among Women

• More likely 50% 
• Less likely 4% 
• No change 45%

A background check on anyone attempting to purchase a gun in order to determine whether the prospective buyer has been convicted of a felony 

• Favor 95%
• Oppose 5%

Preventing certain people, such as convicted felons or people with mental health problems, from owning guns 

• Favor 92%
• Oppose 8%

Requiring gun owners to register their guns with the local government 

• Favor 78%
• Oppose 22%

Which of the following statements comes closest to your view: 

• There should be no restrictions on owning guns 13% 
• There should be some restrictions on owning guns 71% 
• All guns should be illegal for everyone except police and authorized personnel 15%

Survey of 620 adults was conducted December 17-18, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4 percentage points. Party ID: 34% Democrat; 25% Republican; 41% Independent.

Poll Watch: Rasmussen (R) Survey on the School Shooting in Connecticut

Rasmussen (R) Poll on the Sandy Hook Shooting 

Does the United States need stricter gun control laws? 

• Yes 47%
• No 45%
  

Note: This is the highest level of support for more gun control ever measured by Rasmussen Reports. It’s two points higher than the support measured in April 2007 following the killings at Virginia Tech. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Democrats think the United States needs stricter gun control laws. Sixty-four percent (64%) of Republicans disagree. Unaffiliated adults are fairly evenly divided.

Does the United States need to take more action to identify and treat mental health issues? 

• Yes 86%
• No 7%
  

Does the United States need to place limits on violent movies and video games? 

• Yes 49%
• No 37%
• Not sure 13%

Note: Most adults under 40 oppose limits on violent video games and movies. Most older adults are in favor of such limits. 
 
Can schools ever be made completely safe against violence like the incident in Connecticut? 

• Yes 20%
• No 64%
• Not sure 15%
  

Note: That’s slightly more optimism than Americans felt in February following school shootings in an Ohio high school. Just 12% thought it was possible to make schools completely safe from such violence at that time. Last summer, only nine percent (9%) thought it was possible to make public spaces that safe following the shootings in a Colorado movie theater.
 
What will do the most to reduce the number of mass murders like the school shootings in Connecticut—stricter gun control laws, more action to treat mental health issues, or limits on violent movies and video games? 

• More action to treat mental health issues 48%
• Stricter gun control laws 27%
• Limits on violent movies and video games 15%
• Undecided 10%

Note: While 57% of Republicans and 54% of adults not affiliated with either major party think more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to prevent incidents like the one in Connecticut, a plurality (45%) of Democrats sees stricter gun control laws as the most effective approach. 

National survey of 1,000 adults was conducted December 17-18, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3 percentage points.

Inside the numbers: 

Women are stronger advocates than men of more mental health treatment, stricter gun control and limits on violent movies and video games. Fifty-four percent (54%) of women favor tougher gun control laws; 54% of men are opposed.

Sixty-four percent (64%) of Americans who own a gun oppose stricter gun control laws. Sixty-one percent (61%) of those who say they don’t own a gun favor such laws.

Eighty-five percent (85%) of Americans have been following news stories about the recent shootings at an elementary school in Connecticut at least somewhat closely. This includes 51% who have been following very closely.

Poll Watch: SurveyUSA San Diego Poll on Gun Control

SurveyUSA San Diego Poll on Gun Control

What do you think is more important -- to protect the right of Americans to own guns, or to control gun ownership?

• Right to own 42%
  
• Control ownership 52%

Among Democrats

• Right to own 29%
  
• Control ownership 67%

Among Republicans

• Right to own 56%
• Control ownership 37%

Among Independents

• Right to own 42%
• Control ownership 51%

Among Moderates

• Right to own 31%
  
• Control ownership 67%

Among Men

• Right to own 50%
• Control ownership 46%

Among Women

• Right to own 34%
  
• Control ownership 57%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Right to own 56%
• Control ownership 39%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Right to own 34%
  
• Control ownership 60%

Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled? 

• Support 59%
• Oppose 34%

Among Democrats

• Support 66%
• Oppose 27%

Among Republicans

• Support 60%
• Oppose 34%

Among Independents

• Support 53%
• Oppose 40%

Among Moderates

• Support 60%
• Oppose 36%

Among Men

• Support 55%
• Oppose 41%

Among Women

• Support 63%
• Oppose 27%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Support 48%
  
• Oppose 50%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Support 68%
• Oppose 23%

Would you support or oppose a law that limits how much ammunition a gun can hold at once?

• Support 62%
• Oppose 29%

Among Democrats

• Support 67%
• Oppose 24%

Among Republicans

• Support 59%
• Oppose 33%

Among Independents

• Support 60%
• Oppose 31%

Among Moderates

• Support 65%
• Oppose 24%

Among Men

• Support 62%
• Oppose 33%

Among Women

• Support 63%
• Oppose 24%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Support 56%
• Oppose 41%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Support 67%
• Oppose 22%

Would you support or oppose a law that limits how much ammunition can be purchased at one time?  

• Support 65%
• Oppose 28%

Among Democrats

• Support 76%
• Oppose 23%

Among Republicans

• Support 51%
• Oppose 40%

Among Independents

• Support 71%
• Oppose 19%

Among Moderates

• Support 74%
• Oppose 21%

Among Men

• Support 57%
• Oppose 37%

Among Women

• Support 73%
• Oppose 18%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Support 60%
• Oppose 38%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Support 71%
• Oppose 20%

What do you think is the best way to reduce gun violence in this country: by passing stricter gun control laws, or by stricter enforcement of existing laws?  

• Passing stricter gun control laws 44%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 47%

Among Democrats

• Passing stricter gun control laws 52%
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 38%

Among Republicans

• Passing stricter gun control laws 38%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 58%

Among Independents

• Passing stricter gun control laws 38%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 45%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Passing stricter gun control laws 37%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 57%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Passing stricter gun control laws 48%
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 41%

Survey of 500 adults in the San Diego area was conducted December 17, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4.5 percentage points. Party ID: 35% Democrat; 34% Republican; 28% Independent. Ideology: 37% Moderate; 32% Conservative; 20% Liberal.

Poll Watch: SurveyUSA Tampa-St. Petersburg Poll on Gun Control

SurveyUSA Tampa-St. Petersburg Poll on Gun Control

What do you think is more important -- to protect the right of Americans to own guns, or to control gun ownership?

• Right to own 45%
  
• Control ownership 49%

Among Democrats

• Right to own 28%
  
• Control ownership 67%

Among Republicans

• Right to own 63%
• Control ownership 33%

Among Independents

• Right to own 46%
• Control ownership 44%

Among Moderates

• Right to own 34%
  
• Control ownership 61%

Among Men

• Right to own 53%
• Control ownership 45%

Among Women

• Right to own 38%
  
• Control ownership 52%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Right to own 58%
• Control ownership 36%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Right to own 32%
  
• Control ownership 61%

Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on semi-automatic weapons, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled? 

• Support 50%
• Oppose 42%

Among Democrats

• Support 61%
• Oppose 37%

Among Republicans

• Support 39%
  
• Oppose 51%

Among Independents

• Support 51%
• Oppose 36%

Among Moderates

• Support 61%
• Oppose 37%

Among Men

• Support 47%
  
• Oppose 49%

Among Women

• Support 52%
• Oppose 35%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Support 40%
  
• Oppose 50%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Support 59%
• Oppose 34%

Would you support or oppose a law that limits how much ammunition a gun can hold at once?

• Support 59%
• Oppose 31%

Among Democrats

• Support 67%
• Oppose 26%

Among Republicans

• Support 48%
• Oppose 44%

Among Independents

• Support 63%
• Oppose 24%

Among Moderates

• Support 63%
• Oppose 31%

Among Men

• Support 53%
• Oppose 40%

Among Women

• Support 65%
• Oppose 24%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Support 54%
• Oppose 39%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Support 64%
• Oppose 24%

Would you support or oppose a law that limits how much ammunition can be purchased at one time?  

• Support 66%
• Oppose 31%

Among Democrats

• Support 75%
• Oppose 23%

Among Republicans

• Support 51%
• Oppose 45%

Among Independents

• Support 71%
• Oppose 25%

Among Moderates

• Support 73%
• Oppose 26%

Among Men

• Support 56%
• Oppose 42%

Among Women

• Support 74%
• Oppose 21%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Support 55%
• Oppose 40%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Support 76%
• Oppose 22%

What do you think is the best way to reduce gun violence in this country: by passing stricter gun control laws, or by stricter enforcement of existing laws?  

• Passing stricter gun control laws 38%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 56%

Among Democrats

• Passing stricter gun control laws 47%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 48%

Among Republicans

• Passing stricter gun control laws 29%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 69%

Among Independents

• Passing stricter gun control laws 37%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 52%

Gun Owners (44%)

• Passing stricter gun control laws 30%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 64%

Do Not Own a Gun (54%)

• Passing stricter gun control laws 45%
  
• Stricter enforcement of existing laws 49%

Survey of 500 adults in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Sarasota area was conducted December 17, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4.5 percentage points. Party ID: 37% Democrat; 34% Republican; 27% Independent. Ideology: 42% Moderate; 32% Conservative; 14% Liberal.

Poll Watch: Washington Post-ABC News Survey on Gun Control

Washington Post-ABC News Poll on Gun Control
 
Do you favor or oppose stricter gun control laws in this country?

• Favor 54%
• Oppose 43%

Would you support or oppose a law requiring a nationwide ban on: 

High-capacity ammunition clips, meaning those containing more than 10 bullets

• Support 59%
• Oppose 38%

Semi-automatic handguns, which automatically re-load every time the trigger is pulled

• Support 52%
• Oppose 44%

The sale of handguns, except to law enforcement officers

• Support 27%
• Oppose 71%

What do you think is the best way to reduce gun violence in this country - by passing stricter gun control laws, or by stricter enforcement of existing laws? 

• Passing new laws 32%
• Enforcing existing laws 49%

Thinking about the shooting at a Connecticut elementary school: Do you think this shooting reflects broader problems in American Society, or are things like this just the isolated acts of troubled individuals? 

• Broader problems 52%
• Isolated acts 43%
  

Survey of 602 adults was conducted December 14-16, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 4.5 percentage points. 

Inside the numbers: 

Among groups, women are more apt to support stricter gun control than are men, by a 12-point margin, 59 vs. 47 percent; support for gun control is much higher in the Northeast and West than in the Midwest and South; and it’s far higher among nonwhites, 72 percent, than among whites, 48 percent.

Political and ideological differences, in particular, are stark: Stricter gun control overall is favored by 74 percent of Democrats but just 29 percent of Republicans; it’s 52 percent among independents, more than half for the first time since 2007. Support, similarly, is 72 percent among liberals and 58 percent among moderates, vs. 38 percent among conservatives.

As noted, however, these gaps narrow on the issue of banning high-capacity ammunition clips. Compared with their views on stricter gun control more generally, support for banning such clips jumps by 11 points among independents, by 16 points among Republicans and by 10 points among conservatives.

Intensity is on the side of supporters of stricter gun control in general – 44 percent of Americans are “strongly” in favor, vs. 32 percent strongly opposed, the widest intensity gap since spring 2007. And on banning high-capacity clips, strong supporters outnumber strong opponents by an 18-point margin, 47 percent vs. 29 percent.

At the same time, the highest intensity is in opposition to banning handguns overall – 56 percent “strongly” opposed, vs. 20 percent strong support.

People who see the Connecticut attack as a sign of broader societal problems are 11 points more apt to support stricter gun control than are those who see the crime as an isolated act, 59 vs. 48 percent. There are similar gaps in support for specific gun control measures; banning high-capacity clips, for instance, is favored by 65 percent of those who see a societal problem, vs. 52 percent of those who don’t.

Govs. John Hickenlooper and Scott Walker on Meet the Press

MTP PRESS Pass: Interview with Rudy Giuliani

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Poll Watch: PPP (D) Colorado Survey on Gun Control

PPP (D) Colorado Poll on Gun Control

Would you support or oppose a federal ban on the ownership of assault weapons?

• Support 58%
• Oppose 35%

Among Democrats

• Support 84%
• Oppose 12%

Among Republicans

• Support 38%
• Oppose 53%

Among Independents

• Support 52%
• Oppose 41%

Among Moderates

• Support 65%
• Oppose 25%

Among Men

• Support 51%
  
• Oppose 44%

Among Women

• Support 64%
  
• Oppose 26%

Survey of 779 likely Colorado voters was conducted August 2-5, 2012. The margin of error is +/- 3.5 percentage points. Party ID: 37% Republican; 34% Democrat; 29% Independent/Other. Political ideology: 27% Moderate; 22% Very conservative; 21% Somewhat conservative; 16% Somewhat liberal; 14% Very liberal.