Voters Believe Armed Citizens Offer Best Protection Against Mass Shootings

Majority Lack Confidence in Local Police or Federal Authorities to Stop Mass Shootings Before They Start 

(Austin, TX—July 18, 2022) Convention of States Action, in partnership with The Trafalgar Group—one of America’s most accurate pollsters in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2021—is releasing the results of a new national survey. Results were from surveys conducted July 7th through July 10th of over 1,000 likely 2022 election voters.

“Americans watched in horror as an active shooter was permitted to rampage through a school while the police stood outside and did absolutely nothing. Over and over again, citizens are given the clear message that—when it comes to protecting loved ones—you’re on your own. At the same time, we’re told guns are the problem and we should give up our right to self-defense,” said Mark Meckler, President of Convention of States Action. “Voters are not stupid. They understand that responsible citizens offer the best means of protecting our schools, homes, and communities in this country. Pursuing such policies is not only bad politics, it puts all of us at risk.”
For complete details on the poll, including graphics, please visit: https://www.thetrafalgargroup.org/news/nat-issues-shootings-0712/

KEY INSIGHT: Plurality of American Voters Believe Armed Citizens Best Protection in Mass Shooting Event:

• 41.8 percent of voters believe that an armed citizen would be their best protection if they were caught in a mass shooting event.
• 25.1 percent of voters believe that local police would be their best protection if they were caught in a mass shooting event.
• 10.3 percent of voters believe that federal agents would be their best protection if they were caught in a mass shooting event.
• 22.8 percent said none of the above.

KEY INSIGHT: Majority of American Voters Say They are Not Confident Local Authorities Could Prevent a Mass Shooting Before it Happens:

• 62.2 percent of voters say they are not confident their local law enforcement and government officials could identify and and stop a violent person before they started a mass shooting:
  • 35.3 percent say not very confident.
  • 26.9 percent say not confident at all.
• 37.9 percent of voters say they are confident their local law enforcement and government officials could identify and and stop a violent person before they started a mass shooting:
  • 28.1 percent say somewhat confident
  • 9.8 percent say very confident