ALBANY, N.Y. -- Most Americans think the average citizen should have the right to own a handgun, but they also want the government to regulate gun ownership.
Nearly two-thirds of Americans think the Constitution should guarantee that right. About half say handgun ownership should be "government-controlled" -- and half of those who feel that way think those controls should come at the federal level.
In fact, Smith says, there's a great similarity between U.S. attitudes toward guns and automobiles.
"They believe, just like you license drivers, regulate cars and subject them to safety checks, there should be a parallel set of regulations for guns." But, Smith says, "If you take it a step further and ask, `Should we allow the average, law-abiding citizen to own a gun?' they're for it, just as they think the average, safe driver should be allowed to own a car."
In fact, Smith says, there's a great similarity between U.S. attitudes toward guns and automobiles.
Two-thirds think the current laws vary too much from state to state, and about half would solve the problem by putting gun control completely in the hands of the federal government. About half think the current gun regulations aren't strict, even though slightly more Americans think they're adequate than think they're inadequate.