Throughout the last four decades, data shows that 14% of mass shootings have occurred at schools, a correlation that appears to impact a large proportion of younger generations. Now, younger Americans, specifically those who are conservative, are showing they are more open to potential gun control legislation.
A new poll from YouGov has found that while overall, 29% of Republicans think that gun laws should be more restrictive — compared to 55% of Americans overall — younger generation conservatives don’t tend to agree with their older party supporters.
The poll notes that Gen Z and Millennial Republicans, or adults born since 1982, are more likely to believe in stricter gun laws (39%) than those older in the party (22%).
The sentiment among young Republicans has continued to trend in its current direction for some time, according to the poll, which also found that 32% of the demographic thinks the Constitution protects access to guns only for militias. This is more than double the 13% of older Republicans who think the same.
While overall, the poll doesn’t show Republicans will begin to take a harder stance on second amendment rights. It does show that the issue could become more bipartisan in the future.
The poll found that for Democrats, Gen Z and Millennial voters were less likely to support restrictive gun laws (69%) than their older counterparts (87%). Nonetheless, the poll notes, “Democrats of all ages are highly likely to support more restrictive gun laws.”
This sentiment isn’t new, as a 2018 Harvard survey that examined the opinions of 18-to 29-year-olds found that 70% of young Americans thought that gun control laws should be more strict at the time. That poll found there was a 15-point increase in the belief from when the same question was asked in 2013.
When it comes to the importance of addressing gun control in the U.S., the YouGov poll noted that gun policy has often taken a backseat compared to other issues facing the nation.
However, recent mass shootings like the one in Uvalde, Texas, last year pushed the issue, with 14% of Americans naming gun control a top three most important problem in the country.
Other findings from the poll showed that Democrats are far more likely to support more restrictions on guns, with 79% saying the nation needs to address the issue and 56% believing the Constitution protects access to guns only for militias. This is compared to 80% of Republicans who believe the Constitution protects unrestricted access to guns for everyone.
The results of the survey help show the growing divide in the Republican party, with younger conservatives being more willing to consider a stricter stance on gun control. Meanwhile, younger Democrats agree but not to the extent of the party’s older supporters.
“As young Americans more frequently report registering to vote and helping others register to vote, the generations most affected by gun violence will have increasing opportunities to make an impact on gun policy,” the poll found.
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