A new survey shows support for gun control continues to drop among Americans. The poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports finds 48% of likely U.S. voters believe the nation needs more strict gun control laws compared to 51% when asked in October 2024.A smaller number, 46%, say they would vote for a candidate who wants to ban semi-automatic firearms.
The just-released 2026 National Firearms Survey shows Americans own 461 million firearms including 40 million AR-15 rifles and 20 million similar firearms.
Earlier this summer, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled a New Jersey law banning the sale and possession of AR-15s and standard-capacity magazines is unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hold a hearing this fall to address the same issue.
“Americans aren’t merely hearing about firearms from politicians, gun control groups and television commentators anymore. They’re buying them, training with them and understanding for themselves what exercising the Second Amendment actually entails,” said Larry Keane, senior vice president and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation.
Keane cited three other data points reported by three different organizations that show shrinking support for gun control. Below are a few others already reported by Hunt 2 Conserve that show Americans appreciate Second Amendment rights.
A Oregon State University study recently found demand to buy guns surged by 157% after Oregonians narrowly passed a 2022 ballot measure meant to implement tighter gun control protocols.
The reaction in Colorado was much the same where residents rushed to purchase semiautomatic firearms prior to a new Aug. 1 law taking effect requiring them to acquire a permit and take stake-sponsored safety training. As a result, gun sales surged by a reported 195% over the previous year.
Another survey, this one by Responsive Management, shows 72% of Americans approve of hunting with about the same percentage approving of legal recreational shooting. Further breaking down the numbers found 82% of those surveyed approve of hunting to acquire meat, 81% approved of hunting to get locally sourced food and 80% approved of hunting for the conservation of healthy wildlife population.
Hunt 2 Conserve is a strong advocate of the Second Amendment.
About Hunt 2 Conserve
Hunt 2 Conserve is a 501(c)4 nonprofit organization affiliated with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Its mission is to advance a legacy of hunting and conservation by educating, activating and developing stewards and defenders of these fundamentally American ideals. For more information, go to hunt2conserve.org.
