National Gun Policy Surveys

Summaries of Survey Findings

Between 1996-2001, the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research collaborated with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) to design and develop a national survey to assess the attitudes and behaviors of U.S. adults toward guns and gun policy. NORC has administered the survey, in slightly different forms, five times: in 1996, 1997/1998, 1998, 1999, and 2001. The surveys were funded by The Joyce Foundation of Chicago.

The surveys measure national attitudes and beliefs about guns. In addition, the surveys assess public opinion on a variety of approaches to gun regulation, including:  

     > the regulation of guns as consumer products
     > personalized guns 
     > childproof guns 
     > mandatory registration of handguns 
     > mandatory safety training for all gun owners 
     > restricting gun purchases by criminals 
     > restricting concealed-carry licenses 
     > the regulation of private gun sales

The surveys demonstrate strong, consistent public support - even among gun owners - for innovative strategies to regulate firearms. An article reporting on the results of the first two surveys was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1998.

Summaries of the results of all five surveys can be downloaded below:

    2001 National Gun Policy Survey - Full Report  (PDF)
    1999 National Gun Policy Survey (PDF)
    1998 National Gun Policy Survey (PDF)
    1997/1998 National Gun Policy Survey (PDF)
    1996 National Gun Policy Survey (PDF)

For copies of the full survey reports, contact the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Policy and Research or  NORC.