According to the poll from Quinnipiac University conducted from February 16 to February 19, 66 percent of American voters support stricter gun laws. Thirty-one percent opposed stricter laws.

The support was the highest number ever recorded in the independent poll, although still short of the highs recorded by Gallup in the early 1990s.

Among gun owners, 50 percent support stricter gun laws versus 44 percent opposing stricter gun law. The survey showed 62 percent of white voters with no college degree and 58 percent among white men support stricter gun laws.

Support for gun control typically rises after a mass shooting. The Parkland shooting, which left 15 students and two teachers dead, occurred on February 14.

Among the other findings:

  • Sixty-seven percent of those surveyed support a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons;
  • Eighty-three percent support a mandatory waiting period for all gun purchases;
  • Ninety-seven percent wanted universal background checks, including the same 97 percent
    among gun owners;
  • Seventy-five percent believe Congress needs to do more to reduce gun violence;
  • Sixty-seven percent believe it’s is too easy to buy a gun in the U.S. today;
  • Stricter gun control would do more to reduce gun violence in schools, 40 percent of voters say, while 34 percent say metal detectors would do more and 20 percent say armed teachers are the answer;
  • Fifty-nine percent believe if more people carried guns, the U.S. would be less safe versus 33 percent believing the country would be safer;
  • Seventy percent felt mass killings by U.S. citizens are a bigger problem than mass killings by people from other countries.

In the poll’s history, support for gun control measures peaked across the board. Quinnipiac first began polling on gun control following 2013’s mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six adults.

“If you think Americans are largely unmoved by the mass shootings, you should think again,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the poll, in a statement. “Support for stricter gun laws is up 19 points in little more than two years. In the last two months, some of the biggest surges in support for tightening gun laws come from the demographic groups you may not expect, independent voters, men and whites with no college degree.”

The poll can be viewed HERE.