Licensing and Registration National Poll Fact Sheet

National survey of 1000 registered voters conducted May 15-21, 2001. Margin of error +/- 3.1%.




General Findings

  • 54% think current gun control laws are not strict enough, 29% think they are about right, and 12% think they are too strict.
  • 59% favor passing stricter national gun control laws.

Support for Licensing, Registration, and Background Checks Among Registered Voters

  • 85% of registered voters favor requiring a license before a handgun is purchased.
  • 83% of registered voters favor registration of all new handguns purchased.
  • 92% of registered voters favor criminal background checks for all handgun purchases. (Asked of a split sample of 500 respondents.)

Support for Licensing, Registration, and Background Checks Among Gun Owners

  • 73% of gun owners favor requiring a license before a handgun is purchased.
  • 72% of gun owners favor requiring gun owners to register their newly-purchased weapons.
  • 86% of gun owners favor criminal background checks for all handgun purchases. (Asked of a split sample of 500 respondents.)

Support for Licensing, Registration, and Background Checks Among NRA Supporters

  • 66% of self-described NRA supporters favor handgun owner licensing
  • 65% of self-described NRA supporters favor handgun registration
  • 82% of self-described NRA supporters favor criminal background checks for all handgun purchases. (Asked of a split sample of 352 NRA supporters.)

For a copy of the poll, please contact Blaine Rummel at 202-408-7560 ext. 118.


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