CBS 5 Poll: Strong Bay Area Support For Stricter Gun Laws In Wake Of Connecticut Tragedy

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) -- A KPIX-TV CBS 5 poll taken in the aftermath of the Connecticut school shootings that claimed 28 lives, including 20 children, showed strong support among Bay Area residents for increased gun control measures.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of those polled felt laws covering the sale of firearms should be made more strict, while only 6% said less strict and just 19% supported keeping them as they are now.

RELATED CONTENT: Download The Complete CBS 5 Poll Results Data (.pdf)

When asked whether it should be illegal to sell or own a semi-automatic assault rifles, such as the AK47, 77% either supported or strongly supported such a ban. That compared to just 19% who opposed or strongly opposed such an effort.

An overwhelming majority (87%) supported or strongly supported requiring that all guns be registered with the state, while only 10% were opposed or strongly opposed.

Yet an even larger majority (94%) supported or strongly supported making all gun buyers - regardless of whether they buy guns online, at a gun shop, or at a gun show - pass a criminal background check.

In addition, 81% either supported or strongly supported not allowing a person to buy more than one gun a month.

Finally, 69% felt that more laws are needed to deal with the sale of firearms, while only 5% believed fewer laws are needed, and just 17% felt there the right number of gun laws in place now.

The CBS 5 poll was conducted by the firm SurveyUSA, which questioned 500 Bay Area adults after the shootings Friday. The poll has a margin of error ranging from 3.1% to 4.2% depending on the questioned asked.

(Copyright 2012 CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved.)