NEW POLLING: Ahead of Biden’s Guns Announcement, Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Support Executive Action on Guns

For Immediate Release
April 8, 2021

NEW POLLING: Ahead of Biden’s Guns Announcement, Nearly Two-Thirds of Americans Support Executive Action on Guns

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, as President Biden is set to announce new executive actions on gun violence prevention, Navigator Research released new polling showing that two-thirds of Americans support executive action on guns (63 percent). A similar share are supportive of Congress taking action on a variety of gun reforms (66 percent). This comes amid an overwhelming public desire for action, with seven in ten Americans saying gun violence is either a “crisis” or “a major issue,” including 58 percent of gun owners.

Two-thirds of Americans also think that our leaders have not done enough to prevent gun violence, including 70 percent of Independents and nearly half of Republicans (49 percent). 60 percent of respondents believe America’s gun laws should be stronger.

“There is a clear hunger for change around this issue, with strong support for the President to take action,” said Bryan Bennett, Director of Polling & Analytics at the Hub Project. “Clearly there is no one-size-fits-all solution for a problem as complex as gun violence, but even a majority of gun owners support the reforms that President Biden is seeking from Congress. His announcement today will help show his commitment to protect Americans from senseless violence.”

Biden’s announcement today is expected to include requiring buyers of ‘ghost guns’ to undergo background checks, which is supported by 75 percent of Americans, including two-thirds of Independents and over 60 percent of Republicans.

Six other proposed gun reforms earned majority, bipartisan support, including requiring background checks on all gun sales (84 percent), requiring mandatory gun safety training for gun owners (81 percent), and passing the Violence Against Women Act (77 percent). A majority of gun owners (53 percent) also support requiring background checks on all gun sales.

“The recent, horrific mass shootings were yet another reminder that our country desperately needs bold gun reform as soon as possible,” said Ayat AL-Tamimi, Polling & Analytics Associate at the Hub Project. “President Biden must take action not only to prevent these shocking displays of violence, but also every day gun violence that disproportionately impacts people of color. Policies to achieve both of these important goals have bipartisan support.”

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About Navigator Research

The Navigator Research project is designed to act as a consistent, flexible, responsive tool to inform policy debates. By conducting research and providing reliable guidance to inform allies, elected leaders, and the press, Navigator helps top leaders in Washington and grassroots leaders around the country shape the debate on the issues that matter most. Follow us on Twitter for the latest updates.