For the first time ever, more Americans think it is more important to protect the right to own guns than it is to control gun ownership, according to the most recent Pew poll. Fifty-two percent now rate gun rights more important, while 46 percent prefer gun control.
The poll results mark a dramatic shift in public opinion over the last two decades. When Pew first asked this question, 57 percent of respondents favored controlling gun ownership, while 34 percent favored protecting the right of Americans to own guns. That represents an 18-point gain in support of gun rights and 11-point drop in support for gun control.
The survey also found a majority of Americans believe gun ownership does more to protect people from becoming victims of crime over putting people's lives at risk. 57 percent said guns protect, while 38 percent said they put lives at risk.
Support for the idea that guns prevent crime increased the most among black people. Two years ago only 29 percent of black Americans surveyed said they believed gun ownership prevents crime. Now, 54 percent say they do.
"Across many demographic and political groups, opinion has moved in the direction of greater support for gun rights since January 2013, though the overall differences between demographic groups are largely unchanged," Pew's press release on its findings said.
Liberal Democrats were the only demographic that saw a decrease in support for the idea that guns prevent crime.
Pew's findings come after the National Rifle Association counted a record 5 million Americans as members.