Manipulated Public Opinion Polling Should Not Drive Public Policy on Guns
The survey went on to ask, “Would you be more likely or less likely to support ‘Red Flag Laws’ if you knew there are no hearings before an individual’s guns are taken away and there are no mental health care experts involved in the process?” After learning how most “red flag” laws work, support fell to 30%, and opposition rose to 47%.
Lott found that the “average American likely voter” thinks “that over 46% of violent crime involve guns.” Actual crime statistics show it is less than 8%.
His survey shows that only 21% of the respondents feel that more gun laws will “do more to help fight crime and keep people safe.” The majority, at 52%, felt that the best solution would be to “focus on arrests,” while another 22% felt the best approach was to “enforce current laws.”
In other words, even without an accurate understanding of violent crime in America, the vast majority of Americans DO NOT support gun control as a response. That is encouraging.