Police Readers Oppose Assault Weapon Ban

A full 84% of those officers who chose to answer the question (498) said that restricting the sale of "assault weapons" would not reduce the number of mass murder incidents such as the Newtown Massacre.

David Griffith 2017 Headshot

Photo: Kim PhamPhoto: Kim Pham

In the wake of last Friday's Newtown, Conn., school massacre, President Obama and numerous senators and representatives are calling for stricter gun control laws. One specific measure that has strong approval among Democrats and even some Republicans is a measure to reinstate the Assault Weapons Ban of 1994, which expired in 2004.

Proponents of reinstating the Assault Weapons Ban believe it will take these "military-style" firearms out of the hands of active shooters, including school shooters, and make children safer. They say that law enforcement officers support the ban.

They've been speaking with some officers, but they are not speaking with the overwhelming majority of Police Magazine/PoliceMag.com readers.

Earlier this week, the editors of Police Magazine/PoliceMag.com sent a survey to 5,000 of our readers chosen randomly. A total of 717 readers responded to the poll. Of this number, 602 self-identified as law enforcement officers and were allowed to answer the Assault Weapon survey questions. Out of these 602, 590 chose to answer the question.

A full 84% of those officers who chose to answer the question (498) said that restricting the sale of "assault weapons" would not reduce the number of mass murder incidents such as the Sandy Hook school shooting. Only 3% of these officers, 20 in total, had changed their mind about "assault weapon" access because of the Newtown massacre.

The poll was conducted over a 24-hour period from Tuesday to Wednesday of this week.

Related:

Sen. Feinstein Promises New Assault Weapons Ban

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