Gun control backing slips among likely voters as Supreme Court prepares assault-weapon case
A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows declining support for stricter gun laws and for candidates promising a total ban on semi-automatic weapons among likely voters.
Rasmussen Reports released a poll on August 25, 2026, revealing a drop in backing for stricter gun control among likely voters since the October 2024 survey. The latest fieldwork took place on August 13 and 16-17, 2026. Respondents are also less inclined to support congressional candidates who promise a complete prohibition of semi-automatic and assault-type weapons.
In parallel, the Supreme Court of the United States has agreed to hear a case focused on banning assault-style firearms, with a decision slated for early summer 2027. The case will address whether the Second and Fourteenth Amendments guarantee the right to possess AR-15-type rifles. If the court upholds that right, efforts to ban such weapons could become moot.
Why it matters
Shifts in public opinion can influence future elections and legislative action on gun policy.
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