Two-thirds of Americans support assault weapons ban: Fox News poll

The majority of Americans support a ban on assault weapons in the wake of two recent mass shootings that killed a total of 31 people, a new Fox News poll found.

Two-thirds of Americans favor a ban on assault rifles and semi-automatic weapons as a measure to reduce gun violence, according to a poll released Wednesday. It is a 7-point increase from when the question was asked in March 2018.

Support for an assault weapons ban is stronger among Democrats, at 86 percent, based on the poll. Forty-six percent  of Republicans and 58 percent of independents said they are in favor of a ban.{mosads}

An overwhelming 90 percent of Americans support requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers, based on the poll. The support is statistically equal between Democrats and Republicans. 

Democrats and some Republicans have been calling on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to call a vote on a universal background check bill. The Democratic-controlled House passed the bill in February. 

Trump recently backed “intelligent background checks” in response to the El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio shootings.

The president also said McConnell, who has not publicly backed any gun bills after the shootings, is “totally on board” with his proposal. 

The poll surveyed 1,013 voters nationwide between Aug. 11 and 13. There is a margin of error of three percentage points.