WASHINGTON -- A majority of Americans support stricter gun laws in
the aftermath of the Newtown school shooting, but most oppose banning
assault weapons, a move that is backed by President Obama as a step to
curb gun violence, according to a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll.
Fifty-eight
percent of Americans now say they favor stricter gun laws, up from 43%
in October 2011. And the American public, which favored enforcing
existing gun laws over passing new ones by a 60%-35% in 2011, now is
split on the issue, with 46% favoring enforcing current laws and 47%
favoring passing new ones.
In terms of specific laws, however, the
ban on assault weapons, which are a favorite target of gun control
advocates — including Obama -- hasn't gained any significant support,
according to the poll. Forty-four percent support such a move and 51%
are against it. In October 2011, 43% supported an assault weapons ban
and 51% said they were against it.
National Rifle Association
President David Keene said he wasn't surprised by the uptick of
respondents who