The Politics of Gun Control

More than once in the hours following the Umpqua Community College Shooting, I have heard a Democrat claim that the majority of Americans want stricter gun control.  In fact, Harry Reid said this: “Americans want us to act. We cannot dodge this conversation forever.”

Wrong! A majority of Democrats might want more gun control, but most Americans don't; as noted by this latest polling on the topic:

Click on Image to Enlarge

The fact is, that when Independents and Republicans are added up against the Democrats that favor stronger gun control laws, the opposition to it is slightly higher than those for it; 48% to 45%.  And, please note the opposition has grown from 40% in 2008.

In that same polling, the vast majority -- near or above the 90th percentile -- said that there should be background checks for all gun buyers, and that the mentally ill should not own guns.

Maybe some movement in these two areas might -- and that's a big might -- squelch the political left's cries.  But, this I am sure of.  The incidents of mass shooting will still happen because, in most of these cases, the guns used were legally obtained.   Also, with a growing number of Americans in opposition to stricter controls, the chances of getting a two-thirds vote to amend the constitution to negate the right of gun ownership is totally out of the question.

References:

Democratic Lawmakers Urge Gun Control After Oregon Shooting: http://time.com/4059431/oregon-shooting-gun-control-senate-democrats/

White House: Earnest said that the "vast majority of Americans" want to beef up the nation's gun laws: http://www.vox.com/2015/10/1/9435089/obama-oregon-shooting 

Polling Report: Gun Polls: http://www.pollingreport.com/guns.htm

Survey: Majority of Americans Not Interested in Gun Control: http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/06/30/survey-majority-of-americans-not-interested-in-gun-control-for-2016/