What Do Gun Owners Really Think of Trump’s Gun Policies?
Under the Trump Administration, 2025 has seen some dramatic shifts in federal gun policies. Key changes, including the elimination of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention, the restoration of gun rights for some convicted felons, and more, have the potential to reshape the future of gun rights. But how are gun owners reacting?
To get a clearer picture, we surveyed gun owners this fall as part of a larger research series in partnership with the research firm More In Common. The full results will be released in January, but here are some key takeaways.
Low Awareness of Policy Changes
One of the most striking findings from our survey is that nearly half of respondents reported being unfamiliar with some of the most significant policy changes. This highlights a critical gap in awareness—and perhaps, even more importantly, an opportunity for policy leaders to better inform the public about the changes being made.
With a large pool of undecided opinions, it’s clear that many gun owners have yet to fully engage with the specific details of these shifts. That leaves a lot of room for dialogue and education around policy details, goals, and potential consequences. Without increased awareness, it’s difficult to predict how public opinion will solidify as these policies evolve.
Mixed Opinions on the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention
One of the most politically contentious issues around gun policy has been the elimination of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. In our survey:
32% of gun owners support its elimination
28% of gun owners oppose it
40% remain neutral or uncertain
The 40% neutral/undecided number is particularly interesting, as it suggests that many people were unfamiliar with the office’s work or its goals. It’s likely that this uncertainty stems not from ideological opposition but from a lack of clarity about what the office did, its successes (or failures), and its specific role in broader efforts to reduce gun violence.
This mixed opinion landscape shows that when it comes to addressing gun violence, many Americans are still searching for a strategy they can stand behind. And the elimination of this office, whether seen as a positive or negative change, has not galvanized strong reactions from either side of the political spectrum.
Strong Majority Opposition to Restoring Gun Rights for Felons
One of the more potentially divisive gun policy changes in 2025 has been whether certain convicted felons should regain their right to own firearms. Our findings show:
54% of gun owners oppose restoring gun rights for felons
32% support it
This marks a 22-point net negative on the issue, which is particularly significant because it reflects a rare area of consensus among gun rights proponents and gun safety advocates. Even within the pro-2nd Amendment community, public safety concerns seem to outweigh the argument for a blanket restoration of rights to certain convicted felons.
Given this, it’s clear that gun ownership policies are not just about expanding rights—they also involve navigating the complex relationship between individual rights and societal security.
Slight Majority Opposition to the Sale of Forced-Reset Triggers
Forced-reset triggers are devices that can modify semi-automatic rifles to fire more rapidly, and the Trump Administration reversed its own policy from President Trump’s first term, legalizing some of them again this year. Our survey found that even Republican gun owners, who tend to prefer less regulation overall, are not particularly supportive of the change:
37% support the sale of forced-reset triggers
37% oppose the sale
The remaining 26% are unsure or neutral
With both safety and personal freedom at play, the question of forced-reset triggers remains a polarizing issue, and it will likely continue to be debated in the years ahead.
Slight Majority Opposition to Cutting Mental Health Funding for Schools
Mental health in schools has become a central topic in the national conversation, and one recent policy change—the cutting of $1 billion in grants for school counselors and mental health staff—has drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle. Among gun owners we surveyed:
54% of registered Democrats strongly or somewhat oppose the cuts
47% of Independents feel the same way
Given that mental health plays such a critical role in addressing violence and student well-being, this data suggests that many Americans are deeply concerned about reductions in mental health resources for schools, especially in the context of rising concerns about gun violence in educational settings. Cutting funding in this area could face fierce resistance from the general public, regardless of political affiliation.
What Does It All Mean?
The data reveal a community that values responsibility, regulation clarity, and fairness, but that does not reflexively approve all proposals that expand gun rights or reduce oversight. Instead, many gun owners see gun ownership as a privilege tied to accountability and law-abiding behavior.
Deregulation doesn’t automatically equate to blanket support. Fewer than one-third support rights restoration for felons, even though many support reducing bureaucratic regulation.
Gun owners’ support tends to favor reforms that protect lawful ownership, not expansions that might undermine public confidence or safety.
There is appetite for regulatory fairness and transparency—especially reforms that provide flexibility, clear standards, and a path back for those unfairly penalized under past enforcement policies.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 landscape is undeniably complex regarding gun policy, and our survey highlights some of the key areas where public opinion is still fluid. As federal firearm policy continues to evolve, this survey underscores a critical point: gun-owner opinion is not monolithic. Policymakers should not assume that “gun owners = support for all deregulation.” Instead, reforms that respect lawful ownership, while preserving public safety and clear regulatory standards, are most likely to earn broad support within the gun-owning community.
As we move forward, these issues will continue to shape the gun policy debate in the U.S. At 97Percent, we will continue to work to bridge the information gap and foster constructive dialogue, ensuring that policy decisions respect the rights of gun owners and reflect the common-sense public safety measures majorities of Americans support.
Stay tuned for our full research report in January, as we continue to explore these critical topics and track how opinions evolve.