Poll Shows Support For Gun Control On The Wane
The latest in a string of mounting evidence to suggest support for gun ownership and the Second Amendment is on the rise comes from Gallup. In an article published Nov. 17 (“Stricter Gun Laws Less Popular in U.S.”), the analytics firm detailed Americans’ desire for stricter gun laws has fallen to its lowest point since 2014, totaling 52%. Concurrently, 35% of U.S. adults think laws covering the sale of firearms should be kept as they are now and 11% are in favor of less-strict laws.
Of significance — on the eve of an election year — independents’ preference for stricter gun laws fell 15 points (from 60% in 2020 to 45% in 2021). Not surprising: In 2021, only 24% of Republicans favor stricter gun laws (up 2 points from 2020), with 91% of Democrats in favor (up from 85% in 2020).
According to Gallup, support for a ban on handguns has hit a new low in the U.S., dropping from 25% in 2020 to 19% in 2021. Again, independents played a significant role, with their support for a ban on handguns dropping significantly since 2019 (30%) — 23% in 2020 and 14% in 2021.
Not A Coincidence
In logic that will resonate with those in the firearms industry, NSSF Director, Public Affairs Mark Oliva shared this trend isn’t a coincidence.
“The fact that America’s appetite for stricter gun control laws is dropping at the same time Americans are legally purchasing firearms isn’t coincidental. More Americans are becoming invested in their Second Amendment rights and are learning the gun control agenda being foisted today does nothing to address crime or criminals. It only creates barriers to lawful firearm ownership,” he said.
Consumers, as they have done in record-breaking fashion since early 2020, continue to exercise their rights.
“America has chosen — over 21 million times in 2020 and nearly 15.2 million times since January 2021 — their God-given right to keep and bear arms and rejected the gun control mantra that would force them to be victims to criminals with no respect for the law,” Oliva continued.
Adding to that number, NSSF revealed the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) processed 687,788 background checks during the week leading up to (and including) Black Friday. It recorded 187,585 checks on Black Friday alone — ranking it among the top 10 highest single days in the NICS system (and slight increase over Black Friday 2020, when 186,645 checks were recorded).
“This figure, underscores the appetite for lawful firearm ownership in America and the resilience of the firearm and ammunition industry to meet that demand,” noted Joe Bartozzi, NSSF president and CEO.
With 2021 drawing to a close, the progress made over the past two years will need to be capitalized on in 2022. Customer retainment will be key to the success for all of our businesses.
Dealers, what post-Black Friday trends are you observing at your store? What are you doing to retain first-time buyers and keep them coming back in 2022? We want to hear from you: comments@shootingindustry.com.
