CBS NEWS POLL Support for Stricter Gun Laws Rises, But Nation Splits Over Arming Teachers February 20-23, 2018 Q1. In general, do you think laws covering the sale of guns should be made more strict, less strict, or kept as they are now?
More strict Less strict Kept as they are Don't know/No answer
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 65 43 85 63 6 9 3 6 26 45 11 26 4 3 2 5
Q2. Are you optimistic or pessimistic that the President and Congress will enact stricter gun laws in the near future?
Optimistic Pessimistic Don't know/No answer
* IF MORE STRICT IN Q1 * 32 58 21 34 59 32 73 55 9 10 7 10
Q3. Do you think federal laws covering background checks on gun buyers are strong enough the way they are now or do they need to be made stronger?
Strong enough Need stronger Don't know/No answer
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** 22 30 12 25 75 66 86 73 3 4 3 3
Q4. Do you favor or oppose allowing more teachers and school officials to carry guns in schools? Favor Oppose Don't know/No answer
44 50 6
68 28 4
20 74 7
47 46 7
Q5. Do you favor or oppose a nationwide ban on the AR-15 semi-automatic weapon? Favor ban Oppose ban Don't know/No answer
53 44 4
39 56 5
66 32 2
51 45 4
Q6. Do you favor or oppose a ban on equipment such as bump stocks that can make a semi-automatic gun work more like an automatic gun? Favor ban Oppose ban Don't know/No answer
56 38 5
51 41 8
65 33 2
53 41 7
Q7. How likely do you think it is that stricter gun laws will eventually lead to the federal government trying to take away guns from Americans who legally own them--very likely, somewhat likely, not very likely, or not at all likely?
Very likely Somewhat likely Not very likely Not at all likely Don't know/No answer
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 23 34 13 23 22 21 19 24 23 20 29 21 30 23 37 29 2 1 2 3
Q8. In order to help prevent gun violence, do you favor or oppose the U.S. spending more money on mental health screening and treatment? Favor Oppose Don't know/No answer
87 10 3
84 13 4
89 9 2
87 9 4
Q9. When you hear about mass shootings like the one that happened in Parkland, Florida, is it something that still surprises you, or is it something that unfortunately you’ve come to expect? Still surprises you 44 Unfortunately you've come to expect it 53 Don't know/No answer 3
48 50 1
39 59 3
46 50 3
Q10. Which do you personally think is the main reason there are more mass shootings in the U.S. compared to other places? There are more bad people in the U.S. There are more guns in the U.S. There aren't enough security measures in place There aren't more mass shootings in U.S. (vol.) Don't know/No answer
15 29
19 12
10 51
17 22
41
48
33
42
1 14
1 19
6
1 18
Q11. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Donald Trump is handling the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida? Approve Disapprove Don't know/No answer
33 50 17
69 15 16
7 84 9
32 45 23
Q12. If Donald Trump supported stricter gun laws, would that make you more likely to support that, less likely, or wouldn’t his support matter to you?
More Less Wouldn't matter Don't know/No answer
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** Total Rep Dem Ind % % % % 32 41 31 27 7 7 6 8 57 49 61 59 4 3 3 6
Q13. Do you think the National Rifle Association (NRA) has too much influence, too little influence, or about the right amount of influence on American life and politics today? Too much Too little Right amount Don't know/No answer
46 15 32 7
23 17 55 5
67 13 13 7
43 16 33 8
Kids. Do you have any children? IF YES: Are any of your children under 18? Yes, one or more child under 18 Yes, all over 18 No children Don't know/No answer
31 37 32 *
27 46 27 -
29 37 34 -
33 33 34 1
Q14. How concerned are you about the possibility of gun violence in your children’s school?
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned Not at all concerned Not in school/home school Don't know/No answer
* PARENTS IF CHILDREN UNDER 18* 56 45 67 53 21 26 16 23 8 9 7 8 13 17 8 14 2 4 2 1 1 1
Q15. In this year’s Congressional elections, how important will the issue of gun laws be to your vote – will it be the single most important issue, will be important but so will other issues, or will it not be important to you?
Single, most important issue Important, so are others Not important Don't know/No answer
** TOTAL RESPONDENTS ** 18 10 21 19 70 72 72 67 11 14 6 13 1 3 * 1
Total Respondents Republicans Democrats Independents
Unweighted 1,012 277 293 442
Weighted
242 317 453
