Tipsheet

Majority Say Treating Mental Health, Not Gun Control, Key to Preventing Mass Shootings

A new Rasmussen Report shows the majority of Americans believe better treatement of mental health problems is the best and more effective way to prevent mass shootings, not gun control.

Americans want something done following the horrific news from Sandy Hook Elementary School last week, and a plurality believes a greater emphasis on mental health issues will be the most effective way to prevent such tragedies.

The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 48% of Americans believe more action to treat mental health issues will do the most to prevent incidents like last Friday’s school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut. Twenty-seven percent (27%) think stricter gun control laws will do the most to prevent such shootings, while 15% put the emphasis on limits on violent movies and video games. Ten percent (10%) are undecided.