PUBLIC-OPINION POLLING ON GUN POLICY

Faced with the national epidemic of gun violence, legislators should b e especially sensitive to their constituents' support for various poli cy options. This support is best evidenced by well-conducted public op inion polls. We review public opinion polls on gun policy since 1987. Although the public support for a number of promising interventions ta rgeting the design and manufacture of firearms has not been meaningful ly investigated, strong support is evidenced for most other gun-contro l options. The public also believes, contrary to Supreme Court rulings , that the Second Amendment to the Constitution protects a broad indiv idual right to bear arms.