New Polling Released by Everytown for Gun Safety Demonstrates How the Gun Lobby Remains Out of Touch with Virginia Voters
Data Shows That Over 70% of Virginians Support Measures for Enhanced Background Checks, Secure Storage and a Ban on Ghost Guns
RICHMOND, VA – Today, Everytown for Gun Safety and its grassroots networks, the Virginia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, unveiled new polling showing overwhelming support among Virginia voters, including Republicans and Independents, for strengthening gun violence prevention laws across the Commonwealth. The polling showed strong support for policies currently under consideration by Virginia legislators–championed by the gun sense majorities that once again hold majorities in both chambers, including banning ghost guns, requiring gun owners to securely store their firearms, and enhancing Virginia’s background check law.
Today’s poll underlines the core message from Thursday’s advocacy day and voters’ overwhelming desire to see their elected officials take action to prevent gun violence. At least 70% of respondents said they would support legislation that enhances Virginia’s background check law, legislation that requires Virginia gun owners to securely store their firearms, and legislation that prohibits ghost guns.
Toplines from the Poll:
- 73% of respondents said they would support legislation that enhances Virginia’s background check law by allowing law enforcement officials to prevent firearm purchases by people who are lawfully determined to pose a serious threat to themselves or others, including support from 81% of Democrats, 62% of Republicans, and 75% of Independents.
- 73% of respondents said they would support a state law requiring Virginia gun owners to securely store their firearms when they’re not using or carrying them, including support from 94% of Democrats, 56% of Republicans, and 67% of Independents.
- 70% of respondents said they would support a state law banning the spread of untraceable, undetectable ghost guns, including support from 78% of Democrats, 69% of Republicans, and 62% of Independents.
- 55% of respondents said it was more important to them to protect people from gun violence than to protect the rights of gun owners, compared to 34% who said it was more important to protect the rights of gun owners, and 11% who were not sure.
“As the gun lobby heads to Richmond today to try and advance their agenda, the data is on our side – Virginians support stronger gun laws,” said Mike Fox, chapter lead of the Virginia Chapter of Moms Demand Action. “This polling just proves what Virginia voters demonstrated in November when we elected a gun sense majority in the House and Senate, which is that gun safety is both good policy and good politics. As this year’s session revs up, we’re looking forward to working with our lawmakers to ensure that these priorities are realized and our families are kept safe from gun violence.”
Today’s polling comes just days after the Virginia chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action held their annual advocacy day, where they met with lawmakers to advocate for stronger gun violence prevention measures. The new polling also coincides with the annual lobby day for the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a group that fights to block common sense gun safety measures across the Commonwealth. Everytown’s new polling makes it clear that gun lobby groups, including the Virginia Citizens Defense League, continue to be out of touch with Virginia voters who increasingly want to see action on gun violence prevention. – demonstrating just how out of touch the gun lobby continues to be with Virginia voters.
The poll was conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy with 625 registered Virginia voters statewide from December 15 through December 19, 2023.
The results of this poll demonstrate that the majority of voters on a bipartisan basis agree with the common sense gun violence prevention measures that are being considered by lawmakers this year. Lawmakers have the chance this session to do what their constituents want them to: pass common sense gun laws that will keep them and their communities safe.
In an average year in Virginia, 1,121 people die by guns and 1,911 people are wounded. Gun violence costs Virginia $14.2 billion each year, of which $288.3 million is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in Virginia is available here.
