Myth: There is decreasing public support for policy solutions to curb gun violence.

Fact: The majority of Americans support common-sense measures to prevent gun violence.

For example, 92% of Americans support a measure requiring background checks on all potential gun buyers, while 56% of Americans support a measure banning military-style assault weapons. In fact, even 72% of NRA members and 86% of gun owners nationally support requiring criminal background checks of anyone purchasing a gun. While public opinion polling by Gallup has shown varying support for "stricter gun laws," recent polls have shown an increasing desire for stricter gun laws. Prominent pollsters have discussed why the Gallup polls differ from other national polls.

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Myth: "Stand Your Ground" laws are needed so citizens can defend themselves.

Fact: Citizens have always had the right to defend themselves. The facts show that “Stand Your Ground” laws are making our communities less safe.

The right to self defense is a longstanding part of our common law. "Stand Your Ground" laws passed by states in recent years change that well-established law so that citizens no longer have a duty to retreat from dangerous situations, even in public places when they can safely do so. Texas A&M research shows the laws do not deter crime and that states that have passed these laws have more murders. "Stand Your Ground" laws also appear to make racial disparities in our legal system more pronounced. According to an Urban Institute study of states with "Stand Your Ground" laws, a white shooter who kills a black victim is much more likely to be ruled justified than a black shooter kills a white victim. Whatever the original intent of these new laws, the facts show they are making our communities less safe.

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Myth: America’s gun laws don’t work.

Fact: Research demonstrates the effectiveness of a wide range of gun laws, including:

• Background checks: Background checks on gun sales work. Since its inception, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has blocked more than 2.4 million permit applications and gun sales to felons, the seriously mentally ill, drug abusers, and other dangerous people who are prohibited by federal law from possessing firearms. But because an estimated 40% of gun transfers occur without a background check, more comprehensive gun background checks are necessary to curb gun violence and gun trafficking.

• Regulation of gun dealers: State gun laws designed to regulate gun dealers, including regular compliance inspections, are effective in reducing gun trafficking.

• Bans on assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines: Deadly assault weapons equipped with high capacity ammunition magazines have become the weapons of choice in mass shootings, including at Sandy Hook Elementary School. These weapons and attachments enable shooters to fire dozens of rounds before pausing to reload. Assault weapons were banned in the U.S. between 1994-2004. The 1994 law was riddled with loopholes which made it easy for gun manufacturers to evade; even so, an analysis by the Washington Post found a decrease in seizures of guns with high capacity magazines by Virginia law enforcement while the law was in effect. Seizures spiked after the law expired.

http://www.joycefdn.org/gunviolencemyths/