See the latest Pew Research Center data and reports on issues and attitudes toward gun control and related policies.
Colorado recall points to greater intensity among gun-rights supporters
Supporters of gun-rights tend to feel more strongly about their position, and more willing to act on it politically, than backers of gun-control legislation.
About four-in-ten Americans live in a household where there is a gun
About four-in-ten Americans report having a gun in their household, either their own or someone else’s.
The public’s predictions on immigration, gun control bills this year
There’s a pretty good chance that immigration legislation will become law this year. The prospects for enacting a gun control bill are not nearly as promising, according to the American public.
A minority of Americans own guns, but just how many is unclear
More than a third of Americans say they or someone in their household owns a gun.
New Background Check Bill Favored, Prospects in Doubt
Nearly three-quarters of Americans say that if the Senate background checks bill is reintroduced, Congress should pass it. But even gun control advocates are pessimistic about the bill’s chances.
Data: Gun Homicide and Violent Crime
National rates of gun homicide, non-fatal gun crime and all non-fatal violent crimes have fallen since the mid-1990s. Explore the trends by age, race and gender in this interactive.
Slideshow: Gun Violence in America
Key findings from the report “Gun Homicide Rate Down 49% Since 1993 Peak; Public Unaware”
Gun Homicide Rate Down 49% Since 1993 Peak; Public Unaware
Violence plunged through the 1990s, but has declined less dramatically since 2000. Despite the drop, 56% of Americans believe gun crime is higher today than 20 years ago.
Gun Control Conversation Split
On Twitter, the tone of conversation on gun control shifted back and forth, but the NRA faced more criticism than support. The terms “Newtown” and “gun control” dominated the conversation.
Divided Reactions to Last Week’s Senate Gun Vote
The key Senate vote that halted gun control legislation last week is drawing a mixed reaction from the American public: 47% express negative feelings about the vote while 39% have a positive reaction to the Senate’s rejection of gun control legislation that included background checks on gun purchases.
