What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.
While the number of gun deaths in the U.S. fell for the second consecutive year in 2023, it remained among the highest annual totals on record.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
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Gun Policy
Key facts about Americans and guns
About six-in-ten U.S. adults (58%) favor stricter gun laws. Another 26% say that U.S. gun laws are about right, while 15% favor less strict gun laws.
About 1 in 4 U.S. teachers say their school went into a gun-related lockdown in the last school year
59% of public K-12 teachers say they are at least somewhat worried about the possibility of a shooting ever happening at their school.
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Gun Policy
Publications
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Opinions on Gun Policy and the 2016 Campaign
For the past several years, large majorities of both Democrats and Republicans have favored making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks.
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Gun homicides steady after decline in ’90s; suicide rate edges up
Although most Americans think the number of gun crimes has risen, the U.S. gun homicide rate has actually stabilized somewhat in recent years.
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Continued Bipartisan Support for Expanded Background Checks on Gun Sales
Survey Report Two years after the failure of Senate legislation to expand background checks on gun purchases, the public continues to overwhelmingly support making private gun sales and sales at gun shows subject to background checks. Currently, 85% of Americans – including large majorities of Democrats (88%) and Republicans (79%) – favor expanded background checks, […]
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Despite lower crime rates, support for gun rights increases
In December 2014, the balance of opinion flipped: For the first time, more Americans say protecting gun rights (52%) is more important than controlling gun ownership (46%).
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A public opinion trend that matters: Priorities for gun policy
Surveys have found a shift in gun policy attitudes over time. Here’s a look at how public opinion on the subject is measured.
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The demographics and politics of gun-owning households
Americans with young children in their home are just as likely as other adults to have a gun in their household.
