Most Washington voters strongly support a ban on assault weapons
Jun 10, 2022, 5:40 PM
Visualization of NPI’s poll finding concerning voters’ support for a ban on assault weapons such as the AR-15 rifle
A majority of Washington state supports a ban on military-style assault weapons like the AR-15 rifle, with over 50% expressing strong support, according to NPI’s most recent statewide survey.
56% of 1,039 voters surveyed last week for NPI by Public Policy Polling said they supported a ban, while 38% were opposed. Just 6% were not sure.
52% expressed strong support, and 31% expressed strong opposition. 4% were somewhat supportive, and 7% were somewhat opposed.
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This finding demonstrates that there is solid support for legislation in Washington to prohibit the sale, manufacture, transport, or import of military-grade firearms.
This poll follows an almost nonstop series of mass shootings around the country. Shoppers at a Buffalo, New York grocery store were gunned down with an assault weapon the shooter had modified, killing 10 people and injuring an additional three.
Ten days later, 19 children and three teachers were killed at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas with an assault weapon, their bodies in many cases unrecognizable for identification purposes as a result of horrific exit wounds.
Seven states currently have assault weapons bans in place, along with the District of Columbia. The seven states are California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York.
The question asked is below, followed by answers received:
QUESTION: Do you strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose banning the sale, transport, manufacture, or import of military-style assault weapons like the AR-15 rifle in Washington State?
ANSWERS:
- Support: 56%
- Strongly: 52%
- Somewhat: 4%
- Oppose: 38%
- Somewhat: 7%
- Strongly: 31%
- Not sure: 6%
The survey was in the field from Wednesday, June 1 through Thursday, June 2.
It utilized a blended methodology, with automated phone calls to landlines (50%) and text message answers from cell phone only respondents (50%).
The poll was conducted by Public Policy Polling for the Northwest Progressive Institute and had a margin of error of +/- 3.0% at the 95% confidence interval.
In King County, which is home to over 30% of the state’s population, support for an assault weapons ban is 73%, with 68% strongly supportive and just 19% opposed in total. 7% were not sure.
50% of voters in Eastern and Central Washington are supportive: 45% strongly, 5% somewhat. 43% are opposed: 38% strongly, 5% somewhat.
Young voters, ages 18 to 29, polled as the most enthusiastic about a potential ban. 74% support a ban, with 71% strongly supportive and 3% somewhat supportive.
More than a fifth of voters who identify as Republican (21%) are supportive of an assault weapons ban, along with nearly 90% of Democratic voters and 44% of independent voters.
