Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Poll Reveals Overwhelming Support for Right to Bear Arms

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Poll Reveals Overwhelming Support for Right to Bear Arms

Americans are deeply divided on many issues these days. But a recent poll conducted by Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee, WI, revealed at least one area of broad agreement: A supermajority in the U.S. supports a right to carry firearms in public for self-defense. The poll questioned 1,005 adults nationwide from July 24 to Aug. 1, 2024, and has a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

Participants were queried on a range of opinions about U.S. institutions and the Supreme Court in particular. One question asked: “In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that, subject to some restrictions, the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home. How much do you favor or oppose this decision?”

Forty percent of respondents “strongly favor[ed]” this decision, with another 29% “somewhat favor[ing]” it. In contrast, only 31% opposed the decision, with just 14% “strongly” opposed. These results showed an increase in support for the decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen since the last time Marquette University Law School asked the question during November 2022. At that time, 64% were strongly or somewhat in favor.

In contrast to the overwhelming support for the Second Amendment right to carry, no branch of the government, nor the “national news media,” managed to generate “a great deal” or “quite a lot” of confidence among a majority of respondents. For the presidency, it was 32%. For the Supreme Court, it was 27%. For Congress, it was 13%. And for the media, it was a dismal 12%.

Support for Bruen was the second highest of all the 10 Supreme Court decisions on which the respondents were polled. The highest support, at 77%, went to the case affirming that prohibiting firearm possession by persons subject to a domestic violence restraining order did not offend the Second Amendment. This indicates that while Americans strongly support the rights protected by the Second Amendment, they also view those rights as pertaining to peaceable, law-abiding persons.

With the presidential election season well underway, the two major parties have been sparring over whose candidates represent the mainstream versus those with fringe views. When it comes to the right to bear arms, it is the Republican ticket of Donald Trump and JD Vance who clearly reflect the nation’s prevailing opinion that law-abiding Americans have a right to carry guns for self-protection as they go about their daily business.

The official X (formerly Twitter) account of Kamala HQ, on the other hand, continues to host a video where vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz expresses his opposition to “reciprocal carry among states,” meaning he supports the criminal prosecution of otherwise lawful carriers for crossing state lines. As for presidential aspirant Kamala Harris, we’ve already explained that she is on record for the proposition that the Second Amendment doesn’t even protect any individual right to own guns, much less carry them in public.   

Americans should not make the mistake, however, of thinking that the popularity of the Second Amendment will protect it from those, like Harris and Walz, who are dedicated to its destruction. The Democrat party elites, and those who fund them, have made their intentions clear. If there is safety in numbers, it can only be secured at the ballot box by voting pro-freedom candidates into office.

TRENDING NOW
Reported ATF Email Sparks Concerns of Braced Pistol Crackdown

News  

Monday, January 13, 2025

Reported ATF Email Sparks Concerns of Braced Pistol Crackdown

On Friday, Gun Owners of America published an email reportedly received by one of its members in response to a question to ATF about whether adding a brace to a CZ Scorpion pistol would convert ...

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Introduced on First Day of Session

Thursday, January 9, 2025

Colorado: Semi-Auto Ban Introduced on First Day of Session

Without skipping a beat, anti-gun legislators in Colorado have introduced a near all-encompassing ban on semi-automatic firearms on the first day of the legislative session.

Washington: The Expedited Assault on Your Rights Continues! Hearings Scheduled for Tuesday!

Friday, January 17, 2025

Washington: The Expedited Assault on Your Rights Continues! Hearings Scheduled for Tuesday!

In just the second week of the session, the Washington State legislature continues their assault on your right to keep and bear arms. 

Washington: Ammo Tax Added to Tuesday’s Onslaught of Anti-Gun Bills

Saturday, January 18, 2025

Washington: Ammo Tax Added to Tuesday’s Onslaught of Anti-Gun Bills

This coming Tuesday is going to be a critical day for law-abiding gun owners across Washington, with three separate hearings scheduled to review anti-gun legislation. 

Illinois: Gun Seizure Mandate Passes House, Headed to Governor's Desk

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Illinois: Gun Seizure Mandate Passes House, Headed to Governor's Desk

Last night, HB 4144 passed the Illinois House by a vote of 80-33 in the final hours of the General Assembly’s lame duck session. It now goes to the Governor for his signature.

Washington: 2025 Legislative Session Convenes, Gun Control Bills Pre-Filed

Monday, January 13, 2025

Washington: 2025 Legislative Session Convenes, Gun Control Bills Pre-Filed

Today, January 13th, the Washington Legislature convened for the 2025 session. 

U.S. Appellate Court Issues Case on Marijuana Use and Firearm Possession

News  

Monday, January 13, 2025

U.S. Appellate Court Issues Case on Marijuana Use and Firearm Possession

Last Monday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit – which encompasses Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas – reversed the conviction of a man under a federal law that prohibits firearm possession by one ...

Good News, Bad News on ATF Director Dettelbach

News  

Monday, January 6, 2025

Good News, Bad News on ATF Director Dettelbach

It’s really just good news to report that Joe Biden’s director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Steven Dettelbach, has announced his resignation.  

Maine: Governor Mills Proposes Major Cost Increases to Hunting, Fishing, and Archery License Fees

Friday, January 17, 2025

Maine: Governor Mills Proposes Major Cost Increases to Hunting, Fishing, and Archery License Fees

The NRA recently warned Mainers that progressive politicians were zeroing in on their hunting rights, and this week, Maine hunters got their first look at the anti-hunting policies coming their way in 2025. 

Virginia: Onslaught of Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in Committees on Friday

Thursday, January 16, 2025

Virginia: Onslaught of Anti-Gun Bills to be Heard in Committees on Friday

More than twenty firearm bills are scheduled for a public hearing on Friday, January 17th.

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.