Most Arizonans support variety of gun control measures, poll finds

PHOENIX – A clear majority of Arizonans support a variety of gun control policies, but opinions are split on whether stricter laws would actually reduce mass shootings, according to poll results released Wednesday.

In a survey conducted July 5-15, OH Predictive Insights asked a representative sample of Arizona voters for their opinions on five proposals for reducing gun violence.

At least 70% of respondents said they supported each of the options.

Yet, when asked if they believed stricter gun laws would reduce mass shootings nationwide, only 48% said yes. That was still the predominant response, however, with 41% saying no and 11% unsure.

More Democrats had faith in the efficacy of gun laws than Republicans, 76%-29%, while independents at 42% were closer to the overall result.

When it comes to specific policies, requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers had the largest support at 82%.

The next most popular proposal, at 77%, was raising the minimum age to buy assault rifles and semiautomatic weapons to 21.

Support for raising the age for buying any gun to 21 was close behind at 74%.

The other two proposals, criminal background checks for ammunition sales and mental health checks for all gun buyers, each had 72% support.

“While Arizona is, and will continue to be, a gun-friendly state, it is likely that the seemingly constant stories of the most recent mass shootings are causing Arizonans to come together on several strategies seeking to prevent gun violence,” Mike Noble, OH Predictive Insights chief of research, said in a press release.

The survey also covered issues of school security.

Sixty percent backed increasing the number of armed officers on campus. The support was up to 67% for parents with kids under 18.

Arming teachers wasn’t as popular, with 42% supporting it, 39% opposing it and 19% unsure.

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