US support for gun control rises
Even before the Virginia Tech tragedy, polls showed a record number want more limits on firearms.
from the April 20, 2007 edition
Page 3 of 3
Indeed, a number of the Democrats just elected to Congress ran on pro-gun platforms. And when Americans are asked directly whether they approve the use of guns to save lives, they agree, Pratt adds. He points to a Research 2000 poll in 2002 that found that 85 percent of Americans would find it appropriate for a principal or teacher to use "a gun at school to defend the lives of students" to stop a school massacre.
Gun-control advocates argue that supporting a person using a gun to stop a massacre does not translate into 85 percent of Americans believing that teachers in the classroom should be armed.
The reason overwhelming support for gun control found in opinion polls has not translated into support for gun-control advocates during elections is that gun owners are more passionate about the issue than the general public, says Josh Sugarmann, executive director of the Violence Policy Center in Washington. "While there is public support on our side, the National Rifle Associations' hard-core supporters have the boots on the ground – which means they are the vocal minority that makes sure their voice is heard when their member in Congress comes home to their district."
He says the Virginia Tech shootings may cause gun-control supporters to become more engaged.
RSS feed
