Poll: 59 Percent Say Guns a Major Factor in Midterm Vote

Of the 59 percent for whom guns will be a major factor, 77 percent of those believe gun laws need to be stricter, according to the Marist survey.

The results:

• 59 percent say gun positions will be a major factor for them in midterms
• 26 percent say gun positions will be a minor factor
• 13 percent say gun stances of candidates will not influence their vote

Guns are a bigger factor for women (66 percent) than men (51 percent) in November, according to Marist.

The breakdown of which way voters would vote, depending on a candidate's position on banning - or not - semi-automatic weapons:

• 34 percent would definitely vote for a candidate who supports a ban on semi-automatic weapons
• 24 percent would definitely vote against a candidate who supports a ban
• 20 percent would probably vote for a candidate who supports a ban
• 16 percent would probably vote against a candidate who supports a ban

Further, 57 percent of gun owners would vote against a candidate who favors a ban on semi-automatic weapons vs. 35 percent who would vote for someone who favors a ban, according to the Marist survey.

"Last week’s shooting revitalized the debate over gun policy," says Dr. Lee Miringoff, Director of The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion. "If this intensity of debate continues to shape discourse through the midterms, candidates running for office will need to pay careful attention to the issue."

This survey of 1,026 adults was conducted Feb. 20-21 by The Marist Poll. Adults 18 years of age and older residing in U.S. were contacted. Results are statistically significant within plus or minus 3.6 percentage points.