In the Wake of Alex Pretti’s Death
Last Saturday, Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old Veterans’ Affairs nurse and licensed gun owner, was legally carrying his holstered weapon on a Minneapolis street. During a brief interaction with border patrol agents, he was disarmed and shot 10 times. The administration has tried to characterize Pretti as a threat to officers. Several recordings from the scene indicate otherwise. The administration has since doubled down, with President Trump himself saying, “You can’t have guns. You can’t walk in with guns. You can’t do that.”
This response, particularly from an administration that has taken a decidedly pro-2nd Amendment approach to federal policy, has created rare alignment within the organized gun rights and gun safety communities. Pretti did nothing but exercise his 2nd Amendment rights in a legal, responsible way but still lost his life to federal agents. Why? The answer to that question will continue to be debated. But the alignment that’s surfaced isn’t actually all that rare among regular Americans—both gun owners and non-gun owners alike. Our research has consistently shown that.
In our latest survey of gun owners to gauge their views on gun violence, policy, and the future of gun safety, we again see promising areas of consensus. Their support for the 2nd Amendment doesn’t diminish their concern about the dangers of gun violence. And their desire to reach a compromise on policy solutions suggests that gun owners, across political divides in this hyperpolarized era, are open to finding common ground. And guess what? Gun owners aren’t necessarily sold on those decidedly pro-2nd Amendment shifts to federal gun policies over the past year either.
Gun Violence Is a Shared Concern
A striking 75% of gun owners, representing a broad swath of the American electorate, agree that gun violence is either an “emergency” or a “major problem.” This sentiment spans political lines, with majorities of both Democrats and Republicans echoing these concerns. Particularly noteworthy is the overwhelming concern among younger generations: over 8 in 10 Gen Z gun owners (83%) see gun violence as an urgent issue.
But concern goes beyond just the violence itself. A majority (78%) of gun owners believe that gun violence is eroding the social fabric of American life—creating a sense of insecurity in public spaces. This includes more than 70% across political affiliations, showing that the fear and anxiety surrounding gun violence are shared, regardless of party.
Broad Common Ground on Core Gun Policies
Despite differences in political ideology, gun owners agree on several basic policies that could address gun violence and enhance safety. Among the most supported measures are:
Background Checks: Nearly universal support for comprehensive background checks, particularly when processed within set timeframes.
Dealer Inspections: 78% of gun owners say it is “extremely” or “very important” that federally licensed gun dealers are regularly inspected for compliance with federal laws—despite the administration’s proposal to eliminate investigators and reduce capacity.
Felony Convictions: A large majority supports continued restrictions on gun access for individuals with felony convictions—despite the administration’s plan to restore gun rights for some convicted felons.
There is also overwhelming support for the key functions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), such as investigating illegal gun trafficking, reducing regulatory burdens on law-abiding gun owners, and enforcing existing firearm regulations.
A Modest but Real Optimism About Change
When asked if meaningful progress on gun safety could be achieved within the next decade, a slight majority of gun owners are optimistic. Overall, 38% say change is possible, while 34% are doubtful, and 28% remain unsure. Republicans tend to be more optimistic (44% yes, 29% no), while Democrats are more divided (33% yes, 34% no), and Independents show less hope (29% yes, 38% no). Parents, particularly those with children under 18 (60% yes), are notably more optimistic than non-parents (27% yes).
Interestingly, the desire for progress transcends partisanship: gun owners across the political spectrum agree that compromise is crucial to improving gun safety. A solid 59% favor compromise as a way forward, with Gen Z gun owners leading the charge (69%).
The Sincerity Gap: Distrust in Policymaking
Despite the willingness to compromise, there is a palpable distrust in the political process. The survey reveals a significant “Sincerity Gap”—about two-thirds of gun owners (Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike) believe that gun policy is more driven by “politics” or “money and special interests” than by genuine concern for public safety. Less than one in five gun owners think that policymaking is motivated by a true desire to make people safer. This widespread cynicism towards policymakers coexists with the desire for a reasonable, compromise-based approach.
The Parental Divide: Concern and Support for Safety Measures
Parents are far more concerned about gun violence than non-parents and are stronger supporters of policies aimed at improving school safety and expanding mental health services. A notable finding is that parents are more likely to consider a political candidate’s stance on gun safety as a key factor in their voting decisions, particularly those with children under 5, who are especially supportive of progress in reducing gun violence.
Gen Z Leading the Charge
Young gun owners, particularly from Gen Z, stand out in terms of their concern about gun violence. They are more likely to take action and more actively follow policy changes than older generations. Their views on specific laws and policies are still evolving, but their level of engagement and anxiety about attending large public events is noteworthy. Millennials also demonstrate a strong awareness of gun policy changes, while older generations tend to be less engaged.
Differences by Race
Gun ownership also varies by race and income, with Black gun owners reporting the highest concern about gun violence and the strongest support for mental health investment. They also show the highest level of awareness regarding gun policy changes.
The Trusted Source for Gun Policy Information
When it comes to learning about gun policy changes, most gun owners turn to local news. Local news outlets emerged as the most trusted and influential source of information, surpassing national outlets. This highlights the role local journalism plays in shaping public understanding and discourse on gun policy.
The Bottom Line
The tragic shooting of Alex Pretti has highlighted the support Americans continue to share for responsible gun ownership under the 2nd Amendment. It’s one of the many reasons why his death was so appalling to so many Americans across the political spectrum. He was carrying according to his Constitutional rights and within the bounds of state and local ordinances. He also reflected the vast diversity that exists within the gun-owning community. There are millions like Alex Pretti across the U.S.
Our research underscores the importance of building on the broad areas of consensus around gun rights and gun safety that exist across political, generational, and other divides. While trust in policymakers is low, a shared desire for compromise, meaningful progress on gun safety, and a renewed focus on public safety are clear. At 97Percent, we are committed to working across differences to ensure that policy moves beyond partisan gridlock to address the real challenges facing American communities.