Jason Noble

jnoble2@dmreg.com

Iowa Democrats and Republicans are sharply divided on guns and gun-control policy, new polling data show.

The latest Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll shows 72 percent of likely Democratic caucus attendees think there are “too many” guns in the United States. Six percent think there are too few and 15 percent believe the number is about right.

Among likely Republican caucusgoers, by contrast, 40 percent of respondents believe the number is about right and another 39 percent think there are too few guns in the U.S. Just 12 percent say there are too many guns.

INTERACTIVE: Compare the candidates on the issues

It’s difficult to say how many guns there are in the United States, although estimates put the number at more than 350 million.

Iowa Poll: Parties deeply divided on national security

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Democrats and Republicans are similarly divided regarding the appropriate response to recent mass shootings. The poll was conducted Dec. 7-10, a week after a mass shooting at a San Bernardino holiday party killed 14 people and injured 22.

Sixty percent of Democrats say “much tougher” gun control laws are needed to address mass shootings, while 30 percent support policies that would prevent suspected terrorists from getting guns. Just 6 percent say nothing can be done without violating Second Amendment rights.

Among Republicans, the results are sharply different. Just 9 percent say much tougher laws are needed, and 30 percent say nothing can be done without violating the Second Amendment's right to bear arms. The majority of GOP respondents want to limit gun availability for one group, though: Fifty-six percent say “more should be done” to keep guns away from potential terrorists.