Gun policy remains divisive in the US amid mass shooting spate - survey

Democrats define gun violence as one of the top problems for the United States, with 73% of them holding that opinion as opposed to only 18% of Republicans.

Investigators are on the scene following a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., April 16, 2021. (photo credit: MICHELLE PEMBERTON-USA TODAY NETWORK VIA REUTERS)
Investigators are on the scene following a mass shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., April 16, 2021.
(photo credit: MICHELLE PEMBERTON-USA TODAY NETWORK VIA REUTERS)
Gun policy remains a controversial topic between Democrats and Republicans, according to a survey conducted by Pew Research following the Atlanta and Boulder shootings.
Democrats defined gun violence as one of the top problems for the United States (73%) while only 18% of Republicans held that opinion.
The survey showed that only 53% of Americans believe that gun laws should be stricter. This view is held by 81% of Democrats, but only 20% of Republicans.  
However, both sides said they support legislation that would prevent people with mental illness from buying weapons, with 85% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats supporting the move. In addition, 70% of Republicans and 92% of Democrats supported background checks for private gun sales.
The survey included 5,109 people, with a margin of sampling error of +/- 2.1 percentage points.