Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Guns:
A State-Level Perspective
Key Findings
Introduction
While national surveys on public attitudes toward firearms and firearms regulation are common, rarely do surveys look at respondents across the nation by region or state. This summary offers key findings on the nine census regions1 and four of the most populated states2 from a study conducted by Tom W. Smith and Luis Martos at the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago. The study, Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Guns: A State-Level Perspective is a new, first-time regional and state analysis of information gathered by NORC utilizing three resources: the annual National Gun Policy Survey (NGPS) for the years 1996, 1997, and 1998, which is conducted by NORC; the annual General Social Survey, which has been conducted by NORC since 1972; and the archives of the National Network of State Polls. Information contained in this summary has been pooled together from the National Gun Policy Survey for the years 1996, 1997, and 1998. The NGPS is the most comprehensive annual survey on national gun attitudes conducted in the United States. Data from the three years were calculated by NORC to obtain these new regional and state numbers.
This summary has been developed by the Violence Policy Center for ease of access to some of the key findings of Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Guns: A State-Level Perspective.
This summary contains a series of charts offering regional and state information on public attitudes regarding: banning handguns; federal safety regulation of the gun industry; and, concealed carry laws. It also offers regional and state information on gun possession and handgun purchases. Additional information on public attitudes regarding specific gun policy initiatives is contained in the full study. Highlights of this summary include—
Handgun Ban
While only 25 percent of Americans own a handgun, 37 percent of Americans favor "a law that would ban the possession of handguns except for the police and other authorized persons." A majority (51 percent) of Middle Atlantic residents favor a handgun ban. Nearly 47 percent of New England residents favor a handgun ban, as do 40 percent of East North Central residents. Nearly six out of 10 New Yorkers (59 percent) favor a handgun ban. For many regions, more residents favor a handgun ban than own handguns.
Federal Safety Regulation of the Gun Industry
Currently, the firearms industry is the only manufacturer of a consumer product that is specifically exempt from federal safety regulation. The survey found that federal safety regulation of the gun industry is favored by nearly 73 percent of the American public. Federal safety regulation of the firearms industry is favored by more than 70 percent of the residents in the following regions: New England, Middle Atlantic, West North Central, South Atlantic, West South Central, and Pacific. In the remaining regions, federal safety regulation is supported by at least 67 percent of residents. In each state more than 70 percent of residents supported federal safety regulation of the industry.
Concealed Carry
Less than 40 percent of Americans feel safer with a concealed weapons law. The only region of the country where a majority of residents feel safer as the result of a concealed weapons law is the East South Central. In none of the four states do the majority of residents feel safer with a concealed weapons law. A majority in every region—except for the East South Central region and West South Central region and Texas—want concealed carry licenses restricted.
Additional information on specific firearm issues in chart format is contained in Sections One and Two of this summary. Section One offers information for the United States and the nine census regions. Section Two offers information for the states of California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Section One
Information for the United States and the Nine Census Regions
Section One contains selected information on the public's attitudes towards guns for the United States and the nine census regions from Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Guns: A State-Level Perspective. The nine census regions are:
- New England - Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
- Middle Atlantic - New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
- East North Central - Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin
- West North Central - Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, South Dakota
- South Atlantic - District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
- East South Central - Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee
- West South Central - Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas
- Mountain - Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming
- Pacific - Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington
Percent Who Want a Law Banning the Possession of Handguns3
| United States |
36.6 |
| New England |
46.5 |
| Middle Atlantic |
51.0 |
| East North Central |
40.2 |
| West North Central |
28.9 |
| South Atlantic |
35.3 |
| East South Central |
27.1 |
| West South Central |
29.3 |
| Mountain |
28.9 |
| Pacific |
33.9 |
Percent Who Own a Long Gun Only, Handgun Only, or Both a Handgun and a Long Gun4
| Region |
Long Gun Only |
Handgun Only |
Both |
| United States |
15.4 |
6.1 |
18.7 |
| New England |
16.5 |
3.8 |
12.7 |
| Middle Atlantic |
11.1 |
3.5 |
11.3 |
| East North Central |
17.2 |
4.3 |
15.8 |
| West North Central |
27.1 |
3.4 |
18.0 |
| South Atlantic |
11.3 |
7.6 |
20.4 |
| East South Central |
22.2 |
11.6 |
28.4 |
| West South Central |
18.6 |
7.1 |
26.4 |
| Mountain |
16.2 |
6.7 |
26.5 |
| Pacific |
10.5 |
7.2 |
16.4 |
Gun Ownership by Type5 Compared to Support for a Handgun Ban6
| Region |
Handgun Only |
Both Handgun and
Long Gun |
Total Handgun
Ownership |
Support for Handgun
Ban |
| United States |
6.1 |
18.7 |
24.8 |
36.6 |
| New England |
3.8 |
12.7 |
16.5 |
46.5 |
| Middle Atlantic |
3.5 |
11.3 |
14.8 |
51.0 |
| East North Central |
4.3 |
15.8 |
20.1 |
40.2 |
| West North Central |
3.4 |
18.0 |
21.4 |
28.9 |
| South Atlantic |
7.6 |
20.4 |
28.0 |
35.3 |
| East South Central |
11.6 |
28.4 |
40.0 |
27.1 |
| West South Central |
7.1 |
26.4 |
33.5 |
29.3 |
| Mountain |
6.7 |
26.5 |
33.2 |
28.9 |
| Pacific |
7.2 |
16.4 |
23.6 |
33.9 |
Percent Who Ever Purchased a Handgun7
| United States |
22.1 |
| New England |
11.8 |
| Middle Atlantic |
13.3 |
| East North Central |
17.4 |
| West North Central |
17.1 |
| South Atlantic |
26.0 |
| East South Central |
28.9 |
| West South Central |
29.3 |
| Mountain |
29.7 |
| Pacific |
25.7 |
Percent Who Have a Gun in Household8
| United States |
39.6 |
| New England |
32.6 |
| Middle Atlantic |
25.5 |
| East North Central |
37.4 |
| West North Central |
47.7 |
| South Atlantic |
38.3 |
| East South Central |
60.8 |
| West South Central |
51.1 |
| Mountain |
48.8 |
| Pacific |
33.5 |
Percent Who Say Guns Make Homes Less Safe9
| United States |
45.1 |
| New England |
64.4 |
| Middle Atlantic |
53.4 |
| East North Central |
46.6 |
| West North Central |
41.8 |
| South Atlantic |
39.7 |
| East South Central |
24.9 |
| West South Central |
37.1 |
| Mountain |
40.9 |
| Pacific |
52.6 |
Percent Who Favor Federal Safety Regulations for Gun Design10
| United States |
72.5 |
| New England |
71.2 |
| Middle Atlantic |
75.0 |
| East North Central |
68.5 |
| West North Central |
74.0 |
| South Atlantic |
74.5 |
| East South Central |
68.9 |
| West South Central |
76.5 |
| Mountain |
67.0 |
| Pacific |
72.5 |
Percent Who Want Concealed Carry Licenses Restricted11
| United States |
57.0 |
| New England |
61.8 |
| Middle Atlantic |
68.6 |
| East North Central |
62.0 |
| West North Central |
60.1 |
| South Atlantic |
54.9 |
| East South Central |
37.9 |
| West South Central |
42.2 |
| Mountain |
58.5 |
| Pacific |
57.9 |
Percent Who Feel Safer With a Concealed Weapons Law12
| United States |
38.6 |
| New England |
34.7 |
| Middle Atlantic |
33.0 |
| East North Central |
33.3 |
| West North Central |
33.9 |
| South Atlantic |
41.3 |
| East South Central |
54.2 |
| West South Central |
40.6 |
| Mountain |
42.3 |
| Pacific |
40.0 |
Section Two
Information for the States of California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas
Section Two contains selected information on the public's attitudes on guns for the states of California, New
York, Pennsylvania, and Texas from Attitudes Towards and Experiences with Guns: A State-Level
Perspective.
Percent Who Want a Law Banning the Possession of Handguns13
| California |
36.9 |
| New York |
58.8 |
| Pennsylvania |
36.9 |
| Texas |
31.4 |
Percent Who Own a Long Gun Only, Handgun Only, or Both14
| State |
Long Gun Only |
Handgun Only |
Both |
| California |
8.9 |
7.0 |
15.6 |
| New York |
9.7 |
2.7 |
8.2 |
| Pennsylvania |
14.7 |
4.2 |
16.3 |
| Texas |
15.2 |
7.3 |
22.3 |
Percent Who Ever Purchased a Handgun15
| California |
26.1 |
| New York |
11.8 |
| Pennsylvania |
14.3 |
| Texas |
27.8 |
Gun Ownership by Type16 Compared to Support for a Handgun Ban17
| State |
Handgun Only |
Both Handgun and
Long Gun |
Total Handgun
Ownership |
Support for Handgun
Ban |
| California |
7.0 |
15.6 |
22.6 |
36.9 |
| New York |
2.7 |
8.2 |
10.9 |
58.8 |
| Pennsylvania |
4.2 |
16.3 |
20.5 |
36.9 |
| Texas |
7.3 |
22.3 |
29.6 |
31.4 |
Percent Who Have a Gun in Household18
| California |
31.0 |
| New York |
20.4 |
| Pennsylvania |
34.5 |
| Texas |
44.6 |
Percent Who Say Guns Make Homes Less Safe19
| California |
52.4 |
| New York |
58.8 |
| Pennsylvania |
45.4 |
| Texas |
40.5 |
Percent Who Favor Federal Safety Regulations for Gun Design20
| California |
74.3 |
| New York |
78.8 |
| Pennsylvania |
72.0 |
| Texas |
76.8 |
Percent Who Want Concealed Carry Licenses Restricted21
| California |
65.0 |
| New York |
73.1 |
| Pennsylvania |
60.2 |
| Texas |
39.7 |
Percent Who Feel Safer With a Concealed Weapons Law22
| California |
40.4 |
| New York |
31.0 |
| Pennsylvania |
37.2 |
| Texas |
41.1 |
NOTES
- The nine census regions are: New England, Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West North Central, South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain, and Pacific. Please see page three for a listing of the states contained in each census region.
- The four states are California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
- Question wording: "Do you think there should be a law that would ban the possession of handguns except for the police and other authorized persons?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you happen to have, in your home, car, or garage, any guns? Are any of them handguns? Are any of them shotguns? Are any of them rifles?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you happen to have, in your home, car, or garage, any guns? Are any of them handguns? Are any of them shotguns? Are any of them rifles?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you think there should be a law that would ban the possession of handguns except for the police and other authorized persons?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Have you ever purchased a handgun?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you happen to have, in your home, car, or garage, any guns?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you think that a gun makes a home much safer, safer, less safe, or much less safe?" Percent indicates those responding "less safe" or "much less safe." Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Would you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose government safety regulations for the design of guns?" Percent indicates those responding "strongly favor" or "favor." Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Should licenses to carry concealed firearms be issued to any adult who has passed a criminal background check and a gun safety course or only to people with a special need to carry a concealed gun such as private detectives?" Percent indicates those responding "only to people with a special need." Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do laws allowing an adult to carry a concealed gun in public, provided they pass a criminal background check and a gun safety course, make you feel more or less safe?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you think there should be a law that would ban the possession of handguns except for the police and other authorized persons?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you happen to have, in your home, car, or garage, any guns? Are any of them handguns? Are any of them shotguns? Are any of them rifles?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Have you ever purchased a handgun?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you happen to have, in your home, car, or garage, any guns? Are any of them handguns? Are any of them shotguns? Are any of them rifles?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you think there should be a law that would ban the possession of handguns except for the police and other authorized persons?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you happen to have, in your home, car, or garage, any guns?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do you think that a gun makes a home much safer, safer, less safe, or much less safe?" Percent indicates those responding "less safe" or "much less safe." Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Would you strongly favor, favor, oppose, or strongly oppose government safety regulations for the design of guns?" Percent indicates those responding "strongly favor" or "favor." Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Should licenses to carry concealed firearms be issued to any adult who has passed a criminal background check and a gun safety course or only to people with a special need to carry a concealed gun such as private detectives?" Percent indicates those responding "only to people with a special need." Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
- Question wording: "Do laws allowing an adult to carry a concealed gun in public, provided they pass a criminal background check and a gun safety course, make you feel more or less safe?" Source: National Gun Policy Survey, 1996-1998.
The Violence Policy Center is a national non-profit educational foundation that conducts research on violence in America and works to develop violence-reduction policies and proposals. The Center examines the role of firearms in America, conducts research on firearms violence, and explores new ways to decrease firearm-related death and injury.
All contents © 2000 Violence Policy Center
|
|
