Welcome to NAVIGATOR – a project designed to better understand the American public’s views on issues of the day and help advocates, elected officials, and other interested parties understand the language, imagery, and messaging needed to make and win key policy arguments.
This release features findings from a national online survey of 1,002 registered voters conducted March 25-29, 2021. Additional interviews were conducted among 103 Hispanic voters, 100 African American voters, 100 independents without a partisan lean, and 100 Asian American and Pacific Islander voters.
Key takeaways
- A majority of Americans describe gun violence and mass shootings in the United States as a “crisis” or “major issue.”
- Strong support exists for Congressional action on major gun law reforms.
- Majorities, including gun owners, support requiring background checks on all gun sales; other proposals to combat gun violence also enjoy bipartisan public support.
Seven in Ten Americans Say Gun Violence and Mass Shootings Are a Crisis or Major Issue
Even among gun owners*, 58% say it is a “crisis” or “major issue”; among non-gun owners, 77% say the same.
Americans Sad, Angry, and Scared About Mass Shootings
When asked how they feel when they hear about mass shootings in the United States, most say ”sad,” “angry,” or “scared.”
Majorities Say Leaders Haven’t Done Enough to Prevent Gun Violence and Want Stronger Gun Laws
Three in five say Washington hasn’t done enough to prevent gun violence and that our gun laws should be stronger.
Strong Support for Congress Enacting New Gun Law Reforms
On a separate question, 63% support Biden using executive orders to implement new gun law reforms.
Bipartisan Majorities Support Range of Potential Gun Laws
Across party lines and among both gun owners and non-gun owners alike, a majority support background checks.
- More than half of independents support each policy, including 56% who support banning assault weapons.
