Poll Points To Disparities In How Men, Women View Gun Control

A new poll reveals both differences and similarities between men and women in views on tougher gun laws.

A statewide poll by Marquette University shows men and women see things approximately the same way on the need for a background check for all private gun sales, including those at gun shows. Poll director Charles Franklin says 81 percent of people want to see the background check, and he says there is not too much of a gender gap: “Seventy-seven percent of men support background checks. Eighty-four percent of women support them. This is an issue with widespread support.”

The Marquette poll also says 54 percent want a ban on assault-style weapons. But Professor Franklin says men and women generally do not see eye to eye on that issue.

“Forty-one percent of men support an assault weapons ban. Fifty-eight percent oppose it. And it’s flipped and even stronger among women: Sixty-six percent support a ban, only 29 percent oppose it. Again, here we’re seeing something much more like the classic gender gap.”

The Marquette poll also showed some regional differences. Rural parts of the state are against an assault weapons ban 58 to 41 percent, while Milwaukee and Madison went about 60-40 in favor.

Senate Democrats on Capitol Hill have decided to strip an assault weapons ban from gun control legislation that will be brought to the Senate floor next month. No gender breakdown on the Democrats’ decision was immediately available, though California Senator Dianne Feinstein said she was disappointed with the move.