WASHINGTON (AP) — A new Associated Press-GfK poll finds that nearly six in 10 Americans want stricter gun laws following last month's deadly elementary school shooting in Connecticut.
Majorities favor a national ban on military-style, rapid-fire weapons and limits on gun violence depicted in video games, movies and TV shows.
And the poll shows a lopsided 84 percent want background checks for those buying weapons at gun shows.
The poll comes as President Barack Obama prepares a wide-ranging package of steps for reducing gun violence. It's expected to include universal background checks, limits on the capacity of ammunition magazines and a ban on assault weapons.
Many of those proposals face stiff congressional opposition, mostly from Republicans. But the poll shows that the general public seems more receptive to strong gun control proposals.
