Poll: 44% Of Recent Gun Buyers Back Political Violence

The Guardian reports:

Large numbers of Americans who have bought guns over the past four years or who regularly carry their loaded weapons in public are willing to engage in political violence, even to the extent of shooting a perceived opponent, a new mega-survey has found. The study of almost 13,000 Americans, drawn from across the US and weighted for demographics, provides alarming evidence of the openness of certain types of gun owners to the idea – and possibly the practice – of violence as a political act.

The study, Firearm Ownership and Support for Political Violence in the United States, was conducted by the violence prevention research program at the University of California, Davis. About 42% of owners of assault-type rifles said political violence could be justified, rising to 44% of recent gun purchasers, and a staggering 56% of those who always or nearly always carry loaded guns in public.

Read the full article.

NEW: According to a mega-survey of almost 13,000 people in the US, Americans who recently bought guns or who regularly open or concealed carry are willing to engage in political violence, including shooting a perceived opponent. https://t.co/EMYc25L3Vk

— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 9, 2024