For the Recently Announced Senate Gun Bill, Bipartisan Action Means Bipartisan Support
By Bella Kumar and Grace Adcox
A bipartisan group of 20 senators recently announced that they had reached an agreement on a safety and gun-related policy package. Led by Republican Senator John Cornyn (whose home state of Texas was the site of the tragic mass shooting in Uvalde last month) and Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, this package includes provisions for mental health resources, support for victims of domestic violence, and funding for school safety, in addition to other gun-related policies.
New Data for Progress polling finds that 67 percent of voters believe that it is “somewhat” or “very important” that Congress quickly pass new gun safety laws, including 88 percent of Democrats, 70 percent of Independents, and 44 percent of Republicans. This also includes 49 percent reporting it to be “very important,” 18 percent reporting it to be “somewhat important,” and 11 percent reporting it to be “only a little important.”
We also asked respondents how much they have heard about the recently announced bipartisan Senate agreement on gun safety. Twenty-one percent report hearing “a lot,” 57 percent report hearing “a little,” and 22 percent report hearing “nothing at all.”
Voters support the bipartisan gun safety bill by a +48-point margin, including Democrats by a +81-point margin, Independents by a +48-point margin, and Republicans by a +13-point margin.
After being informed that the bipartisan agreement on gun safety includes investments in mental health services, protection for domestic violence victims, and funding for school safety resources, in addition to other policies, voters support the bill by a +65-point margin. This includes Democrats by a +83-point margin, Independents by a +68-point margin, and Republicans by a +42-point margin. This increase in support among Republicans after hearing about the proposals within the agreement is notable.
Additionally, an overwhelming majority of voters support the policies proposed within the bipartisan agreement on gun safety. Among voters:
84 percent support implementing additional background review processes for gun buyers under the age of 21
89 percent support cracking down on criminals who illegally purchase guns for people who are not allowed to buy them on their own
92 percent support cracking down on criminals who traffic guns
91 percent support cracking down on criminals who illegally avoid following gun licensing requirements
85 percent support closing the "boyfriend loophole" to prevent domestic abusers, whether dating partners or spouses, from being able to buy guns if they are convicted of abuse
85 percent support providing resources to states for crisis intervention, preventing people who may be a danger to themselves or others from having access to deadly weapons
Sixty-seven percent of voters agree that a bipartisan compromise means an opportunity to take meaningful steps forward to protect our children and our communities, and we can start acting now to make America safer. In comparison, only 15 percent would rather see Democrats and Republicans attempt to work out their own plans rather than pushing for compromise now. Those in support of a compromise include 80 percent of Democrats, 65 percent of Independents, and 56 percent of Republicans. Notably, even those who may disagree with elements of the plan would rather see action take place now than continue to stall on a gun safety package.
Some critics of the bipartisan gun bill suggest that this framework places too much blame for gun violence on mental illness, leading to the stigmatization of people who face mental health issues. However, most voters believe mental health policies are important provisions of the gun bill, with 79 percent of voters indicating that these resources are “somewhat important” or “very important” to include. With a national access crisis for mental health services, this provision clearly hits home for voters as a crucial avenue to prevent gun violence at its roots.
Other critics of the bipartisan gun bill argue that funding more police officers in schools will harm students rather than help them. A chief concern among critics is that police officers in schools contribute to the overpolicing of students, particularly from minority groups. Furthermore, critics of the police response to the Uvalde school massacre point to systemic failures in the police response to the mass shooting as a contributing factor in the high death toll. However, voters still generally believe it is important to place more police officers in schools as part of the bipartisan gun deal, with 72 percent of voters agreeing this provision is “somewhat” or “very important.”
The bipartisan gun reform bill is an exciting step forward for bipartisan legislative action and gun safety in America. Though there is room to build on this initial platform, voters unequivocally support this package as a foundation for future action to curb gun violence. Now, the pressure is on Congress to move swiftly toward making American schools, stores, and society safer.
Bella Kumar (@bellakkumar) is a communications intern at Data for Progress.
Grace Adcox (@graceadcox) is a polling analyst at Data for Progress.