Poll finds uptick in gun control opposition

The majority of people in the United States are opposed to tighter gun controls, according to a CNN/ORC poll released Wednesday.

Fifty-two percent of people in the poll said they oppose tighter restrictions on firearms, compared with 46 percent who support them. Another 3 percent had no opinion.

CNN said the results show an uptick in opposition to gun control from a previous survey in June. In that poll, 49 percent said they preferred tighter gun controls, while 49 percent were opposed.

The poll results come on the heels of a mass shooting at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Ore. on Oct. 1.

President Obama and Democrats have cited that shooting in a renewed push for expanded restrictions on firearms. The Obama administration is reportedly considering executive action to impose background check requirements on more gun sellers.

Republicans say Democrats are exploiting a tragedy to try and roll back Second Amendment rights.

The latest CNN poll found a slight majority agrees that allowing guns in public places makes them safer, with 35 percent endorsing that view. Thirty-three percent said guns make public spaces less safe, while 32 percent said it makes no difference.

CNN/ORC conducted the survey of 1,028 adult Americans via telephone from Oct. 14-17. It has a 3 percent margin of error.