74% of Arizona Voters Support Increasing the Minimum Age to Buy Firearms to 21
PHOENIX (July 27th, 2022)- Gun control issues have been circling the media in recent months, dividing the public with varying stances on the issue. OH Predictive Insights (OHPI) conducted a survey to assess Arizona voters’ sentiment toward gun control laws. According to the latest Arizona Public Opinion Pulse (AZPOP) survey, 48% of Arizonans believe that stricter gun control would reduce the frequency of gun violence.
This AZPOP was conducted July 5 – July 15, 2022 and surveyed 927 Arizona registered voters, giving the survey a margin of error of +/- 3.2%.
Stricter Laws
The recent survey asked whether Arizona registered voters believe stricter gun control laws would reduce the frequency of gun violence. Forty-eight percent said they believe it would reduce the frequency of gun violence, while only 11% of voters are unsure about the relationship between strict gun laws and reduced gun laws.
However, a large majority of Arizonans agree on steps that can be taken to reduce gun violence.
Preventative Measures
According to the new AZPOP survey, over 8 in 10 respondents (82%) believe that firearm purchasers should be subject to a criminal background check. A large majority of respondents (74%) also support increasing the minimum age to buy all firearms to 21 years old. This number increases to 77% when applied only to assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons.
Voters also prefer additional mental health screenings on top of criminal background checks. Seventy-four percent of voters support mental health checks.
“Voters overwhelmingly support increased background and mental health screenings, as well as increasing the minimum purchasing age for all firearms,” said Mike Noble, OHPI Chief of Research. “Despite this common ground, campaign messaging surrounding gun control is exceptionally loud on all sides.”
Assault Weapons Ban
While more than half of Arizona voters (56%) support a ban on the purchase of assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons, some key electoral demographics are split on an outright ban.
Six in ten voters over the age of 65 support an assault weapons ban and almost 7 in 10 (68%) support a ban on high-capacity magazines.
Gun in Schools
Six in ten Arizonans would back an increase in the number of armed guards or Student Resource Officers (SROs) in public schools. This number increases to 67% among respondents with children under the age of 18. When it comes to arming teachers, 42% support it while 39% oppose the idea – 19% of respondents are unsure.
“The data reinforces the polarizing nature of this strategy to reduce gun violence in schools, even in a gun-friendly state like Arizona,” said Noble.
Key Takeaway
“While Arizona is, and will continue to be, a gun-friendly state, it is likely that the seemingly constant stories of the most recent mass shootings are causing Arizonans to come together on several strategies seeking to prevent gun violence,” said Noble.
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Methodology: This poll was conducted as an online opt-in panel survey. The survey was completed by OH Predictive Insights from July 5th to July 15th, 2022 from an Arizona Statewide Registered Voter sample. The sample demographics were weighted to accurately reflect the registered voter population by gender, region, age, party affiliation, and ethnicity according to a recent voter file derived from the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office and recent Census data. The sample size was 927 registered voters in Arizona, with an MoE of ± 3.22%. Numbers may not equal 100% due to rounding.
Media Contacts:
Veronica Sutliff, OH Predictive Insights, v.sutliff@ohpredictive.com, (480) 398-0998
Megan Newsham, OH Predictive Insights, m.newsham@ohpredictive.com, (314) 287-1985
About OH Predictive Insights: As a non-partisan market research, predictive analytics, and public opinion polling firm, Arizona-based OH Predictive Insights provides accurate polling, focus groups, data analytics, and advanced targeted marketing to political and non-political clients alike. With leading professionals in the advertising, communication, polling, and political arenas, OH Predictive Insights serves political and non-political clients looking to improve their footing with key stakeholders and consumers. For more information, please call 480-313-1837 or submit a request online atOHPredictive.com.