Majority of Americans favour gun control over rights to own firearms, finds poll
Washington, Dec. 21 (ANI)
More Americans prioritize gun control above Second Amendment rights, a new poll has revealed in wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings.
According to Pew Research Center Poll, nearly 49 percent of those polled said it's more important to control gun ownership, compared to 42 percent who said that it is more important to protect Americans' rights to own guns.
The Pew Poll showed a slight shift towards gun control that was not apparent following a July shooting at an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater.
Following that shooting, 47 percent thought it was more important to control gun ownership and 46 percent said it was more important to protect gun rights.
According to Politico, but a Gallup poll released on Wednesday found that more Americans think banning assault and semi-automatic guns wouldn't be as effective at preventing school shootings compared with alternatives, such as increasing the government's mental health spending and adding police presence at schools.
Pew notes that public opinion for gun control legislation remains significantly lower than before Obama took office.
In April 2008, 58 percent prioritized controlling gun ownership as compared to 37 percent who wanted to protect gun rights, the report added.