U.S. support for banning assault-style weapons in the U.S. 2023, by party
Published by Statista Research Department, Jul 5, 2024
According to a survey conducted in February 2023, 53 percent of all registered voters in the United States strongly supported banning assault-style weapons. Opinions were divided based on political party, with 73 percent of Democrats saying they strongly support an assault weapon ban and 29 percent of Republicans strongly opposing such a ban.
Gun laws by state
As the Second Amendment of the Constitution allows for citizens to own firearms, many citizens take advantage of that. Gun ownership rates across the country have fluctuated slightly over the past 30 years, with Texas being home to the highest number of registered guns in the country. However, gun ownership laws vary by state, as some states are stricter than others. The federal government does not have many laws that control gun sales, so it is up to the states to create their own legislation. States such as New York, New Jersey, and California have banned military-style weapons, while many other states such as Florida and Texas still allow them.
Political opinions
Gun ownership is a highly contentious topic between the two major parties in the United States. 78 percent of registered voters identifying themselves as Democrats strongly supported stricter gun control laws, while only 22 percent of Republican voters strongly supported stricter firearm legislation.