Support for Assault Weapons Ban Drops After San Bernardino
Natalie Johnson /
Americans’ support for an assault weapons ban is at its lowest point in more than two decades, according to a new ABC News/Washington Post poll.
More than half of Americans—53 percent—oppose the federal government’s prohibiting the sale of assault weapons, the poll found.
In the wake of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn., President Barack Obama pushed the ban to the forefront of his gun control efforts.
Obama revived his call for action Dec. 6 during a rare prime-time address from the Oval Office.
Obama urged Congress to pass legislation that “make[s] it harder for people to buy powerful assault weapons like the ones that were used in San Bernardino.”
But Americans turned in the opposite direction after the terrorist attack in California that left 14 dead. According to the poll, “[j]ust 45 percent in this national survey favor an assault weapons ban, down 11 percentage points from an ABC/Post poll in 2013 and down from a peak of 80 percent in 1994.”
When asked to choose how the U.S. should respond to terrorism, 47 percent favored allowing more Americans to carry guns, while 42 percent favored stricter gun laws.
The sentiment echoes calls from sheriffs across the nation who advised Americans with “concealed carry” permits to carry a firearm for protection.
The ABC/Post poll found a steep divide the between political parties, with 70 percent of Republicans in support of more individuals carrying guns compared with 25 percent of Democrats.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the nation has faced 75 terror plots and attacks, according to analysis from The Heritage Foundation.
Although authorities prevented the vast majority, more than three-fourths of Americans doubt that the government can prevent a “lone wolf” attack carried out by individuals with no direct ties to a terrorist group.
When it comes to a large-scale attack, 43 percent said the government has the ability to do so.
The ABC/Post poll surveyed 1,002 adults through landlines and cellphones Dec. 10-13. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points.