Current Events

64% Who Favor More Gun Control Believe Gun Crime Has Gone Up

Most Americans recognize that there are more gun owners in the United States today than there were 20 years ago but don’t know that gun crime in the country has gone down in that same period of time.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just seven percent (7%) of American Adults believe there are fewer gun owners in this country now than 20 years ago. Sixty-three percent (63%) think there are more gun owners in America today, while 17% say the number is about the same. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 8-9, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

64% Favor Social Security Taxes On All or Most of Earnings

Most voters favor raising the level of taxable income to keep Social Security solvent.

Currently, Americans pay Social Security taxes only on the first $113,700 earned each year, but 64% of Likely U.S. Voters think taxes should be paid on all or most of what a person earns annually. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 20% disagree.  Sixteen percent (16%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 7-8, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

73% Think U.S. Should Stay Out of Syrian Civil War

U.S. voters generally approve of Israel’s decision to bomb targets in Syria but still believe the United States should stay out of the conflict there.

Sixty-one percent (61%) of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat approve of Israel’s decision to bomb suspected missile storage facilities in Syria. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that only 29% disapprove. This includes 32% who Strongly Approve and 11% who Strongly Disapprove. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 7-8, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

56% Think Illegals Outnumber Legal Immigrants Each Year

Most Americans believe in any given year that illegal newcomers outnumber legal immigrants to the United States. But very few recognize how many legal immigrants enter this country each year.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 56% of American Adults believe there are more illegal immigrants than legal immigrants in a typical year. Only 14% think there are more legal immigrants coming in. But 30% are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Adults nationwide was conducted on May 6-7, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Only 38% Think Immigration Reform Law Even Somewhat Likely to Pass This Year

Voters aren’t overly optimistic that Congress will pass an overhaul of the nation’s immigration laws this year.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 38% of Likely U.S. Voters think it’s at least somewhat likely that the House and Senate will pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation and it will be signed into law by President Obama this year. But 52% consider that unlikely. This includes just eight percent (8%) who say major immigration reform is Very Likely this year and 15% who say it’s Not At All Likely. Ten percent (10%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 5-6, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Only 30% Think Government Likely to Secure Border If Reform Bill Passes

Support for a comprehensive immigration reform plan has fallen slightly, as more voters than ever question the willingness of the federal government to control the nation’s borders. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters still favor the plan that would give legal status to those here now illegally who have otherwise obeyed the law as long as the government really secures the border to prevent future illegal immigration. Thirty percent (30%) oppose the plan even with the guarantee of tougher border security. Fifteen percent (15%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on May 5-6, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

54% Think Mexico Should Compensate U.S. for Costs of Illegal Immigration

President Obama met with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto late last week to discuss ways to reduce violence and drug trafficking along the border and stressed his continued support for immigration legislation that provides a pathway to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants now in the United States.  However, fewer Americans than ever view Mexico as an ally of the United States, and most still don’t believe the Mexican government wants to stop the flow of illegal immigrants.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 30% of Americans view Mexico as an ally of the United States. Eight percent (8%) see the southern neighbor as an enemy. A bare majority (52%) thinks Mexico is somewhere in between the two. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on May 2-3, 2013, by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.   

Voters Overwhelmingly Approve of Air and Water Quality

While only half give the overall environment a positive rating, voters are much more enthusiastic about the water they drink and the air they breathe.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 81% of Likely U.S. Voters rate the quality of drinking water where they live as good or excellent. Just four percent (4%) rate their local drinking water poorly. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 29-30, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

59% Favor Free Market Over Government Control To Reduce Health Care Costs

Voters have consistently said for years that cost is their biggest health care concern, and most still believe the free market, not government control, is the best way to keep those costs down. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 59% of Likely U.S. Voters think free market competition would do more to reduce health care costs than more government regulation. Only 23% disagree and believe more government intervention in the health care market is the better way to go. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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 The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 27-28, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

30% View U.N. As U.S. Ally

One-out-of-two U.S. Voters now view the United Nations favorably, but far fewer consider the international organization an ally of the United States.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 51% of voters have at least a somewhat favorable opinion of the U.N., while 42% view the international organization unfavorably. This includes 13% with a Very Favorable opinion and 21% with a Very Unfavorable one. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 23-24, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

49% Favor Stricter Gun Control Laws

Most voters continue to support increased background checks for potential gun buyers but only half want stricter gun control laws. Most also say the gun control issue will be important to how they vote in the next congressional election.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 73% of Likely U.S. Voters think strict background checks should be required for anyone to buy a gun in the United States. Only 18% disagree. (To see survey question wording, click here.) 

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 19-20, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Sanctions on Employers, Sanctuary Cities Seen As Most Effective Ways to Stop Illegal Immigration

Most Americans continue to believe it is important to secure the border to prevent future illegal immigration, but there’s little talk about how exactly the government should go about doing that. Rasmussen Reports tested some of the tools that have been mentioned to see how effective Americans think they would be.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 78% of American Adults think it is at least somewhat important to secure the border to prevent future illegal immigration, including 57% who view it as Very Important. Seventeen percent (17%) see border security as not very or Not At All Important. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Adults was conducted on April 10-11, 2013, by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.   

23% Believe It Is Too Hard to Get An Abortion in America

North Dakota recently enacted the most restrictive anti-abortion law in the nation, and several other states are considering similar legislation. While the number of pro-choice voters remains near an all-time high, more voters than ever already think it is too hard to get an abortion in this country, but even more still think it's too easy to get one.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 53% of Likely U.S. Voters consider themselves pro-choice when it comes to the issue of abortion, just below the record high of 54% reached in November. Forty percent (40%) say they are pro-life, up from January’s low of 36%. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 9-10, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology. 

61% View North Korean Nuclear Attack on U.S. As Unlikely

Despite North Korea’s increasing threats, Americans now view a nuclear attack by the communist regime as even less likely than they did a month ago. They’re also more willing to help South Korea if it is attacked by its neighbor to the north.

11% See Those Who Want To Secure Border As Racist

Eleven percent (11%) of Likely U.S. Voters think people who want to secure the border and prevent illegal immigration are racist, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey. 

But two-out-of-three voters (67%) disagree with that assessment and say those who want more border control are not racist. Twenty-two percent (22%) are not sure. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Just 26% Support Immigration Plan Without Tougher Border Control

President Obama argues that more border security is not a necessary first step before legalizing the status of illegal immigrants already here. But most voters are willing to support immigration reform only if it includes both border security and a way for some illegal immigrants to remain in the country.

Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Likely U.S. Voters favor an immigration plan that gives illegal immigrants legal status to stay in the United States provided the border is really secured to prevent future illegal immigration. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 25% are opposed to this plan. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on April 1-2, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

44% Think Government Effort to Confiscate All Guns Likely

A sizable number of Americans think the federal government is coming after their guns.

Forty-four percent (44%) of Likely U.S. Voters believe it is at least somewhat likely that the government will try to confiscate all privately owned guns over the next generation or so, according to a new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey. Fifty percent (50%) feel gun confiscation is unlikely. This includes 20% who think the government is Very Likely to make this move and 23% who say it’s Not At All Likely. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 30-31, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

41% Think Government Should Keep A List of All Gun Owners

Voters are closely divided over whether the federal government should keep a list of every gun owner in the country. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 41% of Likely U.S. Voters think the federal government should maintain a database with the name and address of all gun owners in the United States. Slightly more (47%) disagree and oppose a government database of all gun owners. Twelve percent (12%) are undecided. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 30-31, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

61% Say Finding New Energy More Important Than Fighting Global Warming

Most Americans continue to view global warming as a serious problem, but they still put their economic concerns well ahead of fighting climate change.  New Rasmussen Reports polling finds, for example, that 61% of Likely U.S. Voters think, generally speaking, it is more important to find news sources of energy than fight global warming. Only half as many (30%) rate the fight against global warming as more important.

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51% Think Background Checks for Gun Buyers Will Not Reduce Violent Crime

Support for requiring a strict background check to buy a gun remains high, but most voters believe these checks will not reduce the level of violent crime in America.  A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 75% of Likely U.S. voters believe a strict background check should be required for anyone to buy a gun in the United States. Only 16% disagree.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

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The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on March 30-31, 2013 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.