Most Americans believe that America is a safer place if more people carry concealed weapons, according to a new
Gallup poll.
When asked if America would be more or less safe if more citizens were allowed to carry concealed weapons after passing a criminal background check and taking a training course, they responded:
- Safer: 56 percent
- Less safe: 41 percent
- No opinion: 3 percent
The numbers saying concealed carry was safer were higher in every age group and demographic except two: people with post-graduate degrees and Democrats. Non-gun owners did respond "less safe" as well, though it was a virtual tie at 49-48 percent.
The annual crime poll was taken October 7-11 in the wake of the fatal shootings at a community college campus in Oregon. The margin of error is plus-or-minus 4 percent.