Tennessee Polling on Gun Laws
Think Tennesseans are hopelessly divided on guns? Think again.
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Recent polling shows significant bi-partisan support for stronger gun laws in Tennessee. It is clear that Tennesseans want to see lawmakers pass legislation to strengthen gun laws.
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Vanderbilt University - Spring 2023
Polling conducted by Vanderbilt University in the spring of 2023 included questions about "Red Flag Laws" also known as extreme risk protection orders, or ERPOs.
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Opinions on Red Flag Laws to Prevent School Shootings vs Gun-Related Violence by Party ID
To prevent school shootings:
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75% Total
71% Non-MAGA Republicans
67% MAGA Republicans
88% Democrats
72% I ndependents
To prevent gun-related violence:
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72% Total
69% Non-MAGA Republicans
50% MAGA Republicans
93% Democrats
70% Independents
Opinions on Red Flag Laws to Prevent School Shootings vs Gun-Related Violence by NRA Favorability
To prevent school shootings:
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75% Total
67% NRA Very Favorable
61% NRA Somewhat Favorable
79% NRA Somewhat Unfavorable
90% NRA Very Unfavorable
To prevent gun-related violence:
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72% Total
53% NRA Very Favorable
63% NRA Somewhat Favorable
84% NRA Somewhat Unfavorable
93% NRA Very Unfavorable
Embold Research - April 10-12, 2023
Pollster Embold Research conducted a poll in the spring of 2023 and asked respondents questions on several key issues related to Tennessee gun laws, including support for expanded background checks, safe storage, red flag laws, and lowering the age to carry firearms.
88% Strongly (76%) or somewhat strongly (12%) support requiring background checks for all gun purchases. Only 6% strongly oppose
82% Strongly (63%) or somewhat strongly (19%) support safe storage laws requiring guns be secured in vehicles and boat. Only 8% strongly oppose
70% Strongly (53%) or somewhat strongly (17%) support red flag laws. Only 17% strongly oppose
70%. Strongly (55%) or somewhat strongly (15%) oppose dropping Tennessee's legal age to carry a gun from 21 to 18. Only 12% strongly support
Embold also broke down the responses by party ID.
Expand Background Checks
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88% All voters
98% Democrats
81% Republicans
Safe Storage Requirements
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82% All voters
96% Democrats
73% Republicans
Support Red Flag Laws
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71% All voters
97% Democrats
53% Republicans
Support Dropping Age Requirement from 21 to 18
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25% All voters
4% Democrats
41% Republicans