Question 1 of 4
How Your Responses Compare with the Experts'
We surveyed 95 experts across the gun policy debate spectrum to find out their positions on various gun policies. Among these experts, we identified two groups with contrasting opinions about the merits of 15 gun policies. One group favored more-permissive policies for gun use and access (such as permitless carry and the elimination of gun-free zones), while the other favored more-restrictive policies (such as background checks and waiting periods). The figure below shows how each group rated the same four policies we asked you about, as well as how your ratings compare. These results are based on our first survey of experts, fielded in 2016. A second survey was fielded in 2020.
The figure shows a spectrum, ranging from "favor more-permissive policies" on the left to "favor more-restrictive policies" on the right. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies land close to the left edge of the spectrum. The middle 50% experts who favor more-restrictive policies land close to the right edge of the spectrum. Your answers place you part of the way through the spectrum.
Favor More-Permissive Policies
Favor More-Restrictive Policies
middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies
middle 50% of experts who favor more-restrictive policies
your answers
Where Your Answers Line Up for Each Question
middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies
middle 50% of experts who favor more-restrictive policies
Policy 1: Requiring a license to purchase or possess firearms or ammunition Show policy summary︾
This law requires a firearm license to purchase or possess a firearm or ammunition. These licenses require successful completion of a safety training course or safety test and a background check, and the licenses cost $100. They must be renewed every ten years.
You answered that this is a policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies answered that this is a bad policy or a very bad policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-restrictive policies answered that this is a very good policy.
Policy 2: Requiring firearm sales to be reported and recorded Show policy summary︾
This law requires reporting all firearm sales to a government agency, including information on the firearms and who bought them. This applies to sales by both firearm dealers and private sellers. Law enforcement is permitted to retain the data indefinitely for two purposes: to trace firearms found at crime scenes and to retrieve firearms from individuals who become prohibited possessors.
You answered that this is a policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies answered that this is a bad policy or a very bad policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-restrictive policies answered that this is a good policy or a very good policy.
Policy 3: 10-day waiting period to purchase a firearm Show policy summary︾
This law imposes a waiting period of ten days between the purchase of a firearm and when the buyer can take possession of it. For this question, assume that the state already requires background checks for both dealer and private sales of firearms.
You answered that this is a policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies answered that this is a bad policy or a very bad policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-restrictive policies answered that this is a good policy or a very good policy.
Policy 4: Elimination of gun-free zones Show policy summary︾
Federal and some state laws prohibit carrying a firearm near schools and certain other public places. This policy allows firearms in these previously prohibited locations. For this item, assume federal and state laws change in a state that previously prohibited private citizens from carrying firearms into schools, universities, government buildings, and parks.
You answered that this is a policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-permissive policies answered that this is a good policy or a very good policy. The middle 50% of experts who favor more-restrictive policies answered that this is a bad policy or a very bad policy.
