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Angus Reid Global Monitor : Polls & Research
Americans Reject Stricter Gun Control
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - More people in the United States believe their country's current firearm legislation should remain untouched, according to a poll by Rasmussen Reports. 49 per cent of respondents believe there is no need to introduce stricter gun control laws, up 12 points since mid-April.
The U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment guarantees Americans the right "to keep and bear arms." Some American states have enacted their own gun control regulations, independent of existing federal legislation.
On Apr. 16, Cho Seung-hui killed 32 people—fellow students and teachers—at the Virginia Tech University campus in two separate incidents, before turning his gun on himself. The shooting is the deadliest of its kind in American history. 40 per cent of respondents believe stricter gun laws would have no impact on the rates of violent crimes in the country, while 37 per cent think tougher legislation would foster a reduction.
Over the past two months, almost 4,000 Americans have joined Students for Concealed Carry on Campus (SCCC), a group of gun-rights activists who advocate for allowing licensed gun owners to bring their arms to school campuses. The group believes this prerogative could prevent new episodes of school violence.
Andrew Sugg, head of the local chapter at Baylor University in Texas, said the group is "pushing for states and schools to allow licensed faculty, staff and students the right to carry concealed (weapons) on campus," adding, "Looking at the data I've seen so far, (banning guns on campus) does put us at more of a risk. (.) When you look at all the school shootings over the past several years, they've all happened in gun-free zones."
Polling Data
Does the United States need stricter gun control laws?
May 30 | Apr. 19 | |
Yes | 43% | 45% |
No | 49% | 37% |
Will stricter gun control laws increase or reduce violent crime?
Increase | 16% |
Reduce | 37% |
No impact | 40% |
Source: Rasmussen Reports
Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,000 American adults, conducted on May 29 and May 30, 2007. Margin of error is 3 per cent.