Ahead of Midterms, New Polling Continues to Show Gun Policy is a Top Voting Issue

August 25, 2022

Washington D.C. — Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, new polling from the Pew Research Center and Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research continues to show that gun policy is a top issue for voters—second only to the economy. This latest data underscores that gun safety is going to play a pivotal role in the 2022 midterms.

Peter Ambler, Executive Director and Co-Founder, Giffords:

“Gun safety is clearly one of the most important issues to voters this election cycle. The public is eager to support candidates who will build on the success of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act and do more to protect Americans from the threat of gun violence. Voters across the political spectrum want stronger gun safety laws, and they will head to the polls in November to support candidates willing to fight for them. Giffords will continue to play a key role in supporting candidates with the courage to act and holding accountable politicians who put the gun lobby ahead of voters.”

This polling comes after candidates with the courage to act on gun violence won in recent elections in New York and Florida, including Pat Ryan’s win in a special election in New York’s 19th congressional district after running a campaign focused on gun safety and abortion.

Pew Research Center Poll: Gun violence ranks right after the economy as important for the electorate’s vote and has grown in importance since the spring

62% of all voters say that gun policy is very important to their vote in November, ranking just below the economy at 77%.This is up from 54% in March.
71% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters view gun policy as very important to their midterm vote.

AP-NORC Poll: The vast majority of American want stronger gun safety laws

71% of Americans say gun laws should be stricter.
85% of Americans support federal background checks, including private sales and gun shows.
83% of Americans support banning individuals convicted of domestic violence from purchasing a gun.
88% of Americans call preventing mass shootings extremely or very important.

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