Getty Poll: Support for assault weapons ban drops to lowest level in 20 years

For the first time in more than 20 years, support for a ban on assault weapons dipped below 50 percent.

Just 45 percent of those polled in an ABC News/Washington Post survey out Wednesday, support a ban — the lowest number in more than two decades. Fifty-three percent are opposed to such a ban, the largest plurality yet.


The numbers come as fear of lone wolf terrorist attacks has increased, in the wake of a deadly attack in San Bernardino, Calif., earlier this month that killed 14 people and wounded 21. And faith in the government’s ability to prevent such attacks is low.

Just one in five people (22 percent) trust that the government can prevent lone wolf attacks, while 77 percent of people are skeptical. The numbers, however, are better for faith in the government’s ability to stop a large scale attack (43 percent), though 56 percent of those polled don’t trust the government to stop those either.

The most effective response to terrorism is nearly split evenly: 47 percent think more people should carry guns, while 42 percent think stricter gun controls will help.