According to a survey conducted in February 2023, 53 percent of all registered voters in the United States strongly supported banning assault-style weapons. Opinions were divided based on political party, with 73 percent of Democrats saying they strongly support an assault weapon ban and 29 percent of Republicans strongly opposing such a ban.
Gun laws by state
As the Second Amendment of the Constitution allows for citizens to own firearms, many citizens take advantage of that. Gun ownership rates across the country have fluctuated slightly over the past 30 years, with Texas being home to the highest number of registered guns in the country. However, gun ownership laws vary by state, as some states are stricter than others. The federal government does not have many laws that control gun sales, so it is up to the states to create their own legislation. States such as New York, New Jersey, and California have banned military-style weapons, while many other states such as Florida and Texas still allow them.
Political opinions
Gun ownership is a highly contentious topic between the two major parties in the United States. 78 percent of registered voters identifying themselves as Democrats strongly supported stricter gun control laws, while only 22 percent of Republican voters strongly supported stricter firearm legislation.
Do you support or oppose banning assault-style weapons?
Characteristic
Strongly support
Somewhat support
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Don't know/no opinion
All registered voters
53%
12%
10%
16%
8%
Democrats
73%
11%
6%
4%
7%
Republicans
34%
14%
13%
29%
10%
Independents
49%
12%
12%
18%
8%
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents53%53%73%73%34%34%49%49%12%12%11%11%14%14%12%12%10%10%6%6%13%13%12%12%16%16%4%4%29%29%18%18%8%8%7%7%10%10%8%8%Strongly supportSomewhat supportSomewhat opposeStrongly opposeDon't know/no opinionAll registered votersDemocratsRepublicansIndependents
0%20%40%60%80%100%
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Morning Consult. (February 24, 2023). Do you support or oppose banning assault-style weapons? [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 05, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/811842/support-distribution-for-banning-assault-style-weapons-in-the-united-states/
Morning Consult. "Do you support or oppose banning assault-style weapons?." Chart. February 24, 2023. Statista. Accessed May 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/811842/support-distribution-for-banning-assault-style-weapons-in-the-united-states/
Morning Consult. (2023). Do you support or oppose banning assault-style weapons?. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 05, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/811842/support-distribution-for-banning-assault-style-weapons-in-the-united-states/
Morning Consult. "Do You Support or Oppose Banning Assault-style Weapons?." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 Feb 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/811842/support-distribution-for-banning-assault-style-weapons-in-the-united-states/
Morning Consult, Do you support or oppose banning assault-style weapons? Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/811842/support-distribution-for-banning-assault-style-weapons-in-the-united-states/ (last visited May 05, 2025)
Do you support or oppose banning assault-style weapons? [Graph], Morning Consult, February 24, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/811842/support-distribution-for-banning-assault-style-weapons-in-the-united-states/
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