Poll: 60% of Americans Say Government Should Prohibit People from Printing 3D Guns

3D printers can create a variety of items from plastic, including working guns. However, the new Reason-Rupe poll finds six in 10 Americans say Americans should not be allowed to print 3D guns. Thirty percent of Americans believe people should be allowed to print 3D guns at home.

Majorities of Democrats, Republicans, and independents agree that printing 3D guns should be prohibited. However, Democrats are more unified in their opposition with 67 percent who favor prohibiting 3D printed guns compared to 52 percent of non-partisan independents and 55 percent of Republicans. Twenty-five percent of Democrats and a third of non-partisan independents and Republicans think people should be allowed to print their own functioning 3D guns.

Even 50 percent of self-described Tea Party supporters think the government should prohibit people from printing working 3D guns, while 37 percent say the government should allow this activity. At the same time, Regular Republicans who don't identify with the tea party movement are slightly more likely to favor banning 3D printed guns 61 percent to 31 percent.

While majorities of all age groups oppose people making their own 3D guns, young Americans are more likely to think it should be allowed than older Americans by a margin of 37 percent to 22 percent.

Nationwide telephone poll conducted Dec 4-8 2013 interviewed 1011 adults on both mobile (506) and landline (505) phones, with a margin of error +/- 3.7%. Princeton Survey Research Associates International executed the nationwide Reason-Rupe survey. Columns may not add up to 100% due to rounding. Full poll results, detailed tables, and methodology found here. Sign up for notifications of new releases of the Reason-Rupe poll here.