What Americans Think about Gun Control

American "attitudes" toward gun control depend on how the question is asked...

Gallup
"Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police and other authorized persons?"
Should not be a law: 73%
Should be a law: 26%

Pew Research Center
"Is it more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns or to control gun ownership?"
More important to protect right of Americans to own guns: 46%
More important to control gun ownership: 47%

General Social Survey
"Would you favor or oppose a law which would require a person to obtain a police permit before he or she could buy a gun?"
Oppose a law: 26%
Favor a law: 74%