Shootings Fail to Ignite Gun Control Efforts

Poll shows support for handgun ban at its lowest level ever
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 8, 2009 11:06 AM CDT
Shootings Fail to Ignite Gun Control Efforts
A Gallup crime poll found national support for a ban on possession of handguns at 29%, the lowest since it started keeping records in 1959.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

The recent spate of mass shooting has done little to inspire gun control efforts despite the fact that almost all the shooters held licenses, the AP reports. Lawmakers—including Democrats—say there is no appetite for a divisive fight over guns when the country is in economic crisis. Recent efforts to change gun laws have tended to be about relaxing rather than tightening them. 

The latest Gallup figures—from polls conducted before the recent shootings—show support for gun control at the lowest level since pollsters started keeping records, Politico reports. The chief counsel to the New York State Police acknowledged that Binghamton shooter Jiverly Wong "fell through the cracks" but said stopping gun violence is a matter of altering the country's culture. "I can't think of any sweeping law change that would address that," he said. (More gun control stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X