NCJ Number
78807
Date Published
1980
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Selected polls deemed relevant to public opinion on gun control and the results and an analysis of the 1976 Massachusetts referendum on gun control are examined; conclusions are drawn on various aspects of public opinion on gun control.
Abstract
In the face of contentions by gun control advocates that polls showed the public to favor gun control, the National Rifle Association commissioned a 'conservative' polling organization to study attitudes and opinions related to private ownership of firearms. This 1975 national poll measured the strength of public feeling on gun control through open-ended 'funneling' questions and a semistructured question. The open-ended questions inquired about problems facing the Nation and the local community. No one indicated that gun control was a primary concern, even though 13.5 percent indicated crime was a major national problem. The semistructured question inquired about what steps should be taken to reduce crime. Ten percent suggested steps codeable as 'gun control.' A 1977 Illinois telephone survey gave respondents 10 items and requested that each be rated on a 5-point scale of importance. 'Strengthen gun control laws' was seventh under the rating of 'very important.' The 1976 Massachusetts handgun ban proposition was soundly defeated. A postreferendum survey of voters found that of those voting against the ban, 26 percent believed such a ban would not be effective against crime and 22 percent supported a person's right to own a gun. Overall, it appears the majority of the American public is not convinced that handgun control would significantly reduce crime. Tabular data are provided, along with 15 references.