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
Trump’s DOJ Will Participate in Oral Arguments in Illinois Semi-Auto Ban Case

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Trump’s DOJ Will Participate in Oral Arguments in Illinois Semi-Auto Ban Case

Within six months of the landmark United States Supreme Court decision of NYSRPA v. Bruen (2022), Illinois disregarded the Court’s clear directives and enacted into law H.B. 5741, the Protect Illinois Communities Act (PICA). 

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

New York Law Imperils U.S. Olympic Target Shooting, Favors China’s Dominance

As U.S. shooting sports athletes prepare for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, New York law is burdening target shooters in the Empire State.

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

Armed Citizens: Not Just an American Concept

We frequently post stories about law-abiding citizens who, by exercising their rights protected under the Second Amendment, bring an end to violent criminal assaults.  

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Thursday, September 11, 2025

Third Circuit Strikes Some New Jersey Carry Restrictions in NRA Case

Yesterday, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Siegel v. Platkin, striking some of the carry restrictions New Jersey enacted in response to the NRA’s landmark Supreme Court victory, New York State Rifle & ...

“Sensitive Places” Embolden Criminals and Threaten the Law-abiding

News  

Monday, September 15, 2025

“Sensitive Places” Embolden Criminals and Threaten the Law-abiding

A beyond horrific murder flashed before our eyes in recent weeks, and a nation collectively mourned Iryna Zarutska after the sickening attack that took her life on a public train in Charlotte, North Carolina

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

Monday, September 15, 2025

California: Legislature Adjourns with Anti-Gun Bills Headed to the Governor's Desk

On Friday the California State Legislature adjourned the 2025 legislative session in typical California fashion, advancing anti-gun legislation to Governor Newsom's desk. Contact Governor Newsome today and urge his veto of AB 1078, AB 1127, AB ...

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

News  

Monday, September 8, 2025

Gun Control “Journalist” Says the Quiet Part Out Loud

Pure gun control. As in disarmament and banning of firearms. It’s rare that anti-gunners get straight to the exact point that we have been warning of for decades. 

Colorado: CSSA Files Suit Challenging "Polis Permission Slip" Permit-to-Purchase Law

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Colorado: CSSA Files Suit Challenging "Polis Permission Slip" Permit-to-Purchase Law

Last week, the Colorado State Shooting Association (CSSA), the official state affiliate of NRA, filed a lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 25-003...

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

Friday, September 12, 2025

Minnesota: Senate Gun Violence Prevention Working Group Meeting on Monday

On Monday, September 15th, the Minnesota Senate will hold a special working group on "gun violence prevention."

Florida: Miami Beach City Commission Considering Anti-Gun Resolution Tomorrow

Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Florida: Miami Beach City Commission Considering Anti-Gun Resolution Tomorrow

Tomorrow, September 17, at 8:30 a.m., the Miami Beach City Commission will hold a public meeting to consider an anti-gun resolution. The resolution, proposed by Commissioner Alex Fernandez, directs the Office of the City Attorney ...

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.