Poll: Americans Lose Interest in Guns as Midterms Approach

Only a tiny percentage of Americans view gun policy as the top issue in the upcoming midterm elections. That’s according to a new poll from The New York Times and Siena College released on Monday.

Just one percent of likely voters told the paper guns were their top priority less than a month away from the election. That means the issue has dropped eight points from the same poll back in July, putting it in a tie for 14th-most important.

Independents rated the issue slightly higher in importance, with two percent listing gun policies as their top concern. Biden voters reported the same level of concern. However, those who listed guns as a top concern during the summer were more likely to prefer Democrats control Congress, and the decline of the issue combined with the increase in concern over issues Republicans are viewed more favorably on, such as inflation, could signal bad news for the president’s party.