Democrats Rethinking Handgun Control?

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

The voice of the world in numbers

Dec. 3, 2024

Welcome to Front Page, where we break down Gallup's latest insights on our constantly evolving world. Here are the five insights you shouldn't miss this week:

1. Democrats Rethinking Handgun Control?

Line Chart: 33% of Democrats and 6% of Republicans say there should be a law banning handgun possession.

The Data: The recent decline in Americans' support for banning handguns is largely owed to Democrats, whose backing has fallen by 16 percentage points since 2023 to 33% — a new low — after the group showed increasing support for a ban during the previous two years.

The Trend: Support for banning the ownership of handguns by unauthorized people peaked at 60% in 1959, the initial reading. Since then, support has never risen to the majority level and has been consistently below 30% since 2008, including 2024's near-record low of 20%.

Line Chart: 50% of U.S. employees were classified as thriving in August 2024.

The Data: Fifty percent of U.S. employees are thriving in their overall lives, according to Gallup's latest workplace wellbeing indicator. This marks a new record low since Gallup began measuring employee wellbeing in 2009.

Life Evaluation Index: This index measures individuals' perceptions of where they stand now and will stand in the future. Thriving individuals have positive views of their present life situation and their lives in the next five years. They report significantly fewer health problems and less worry, stress, sadness, depression and anger. They also report more hope, happiness, energy, interest and respect.

Line Chart: 52% of Ukrainians want Ukraine to seek an ending to the war with Russia as soon as possible.

The Data: In Gallup's latest surveys in Ukraine, conducted in August and October 2024, an average of 52% of Ukrainians said they would like to see their country negotiate an end to the war as soon as possible.

Territorial Concessions: A fair share of Ukrainians who favor negotiating a quick end to the war believe Ukraine should be open to ceding some territory. Half of those favoring a quick end (52%) agree that Ukraine should be open to making some territorial concessions as part of a peace deal, while 38% disagree and another 10% don't know.

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4. Rise of Young Women's Liberal Ideology

Line Chart: 40% of women aged 18 to 29 in the U.S. identify as liberal or very liberal.

The Data: From 2017 to 2024, women aged 18 to 29 (40%) were much more likely than their male counterparts (25%), as well as older men (20%) and women (27%), to describe their political views as liberal or very liberal.

Changing Views: Women aged 18 to 29 today are more likely than young women in the past to hold liberal positions on specific issues, particularly the environment and abortion rights.

Deeper Analysis

5. What Deters Leadership Aspirations?

Range Plot: Potential deterrents to senior leadership roles for men and women in the workplace.

The Data: Earlier this year, U.S. employees who expressed interest in obtaining high-level leadership positions were asked if certain conditions would discourage them from pursuing their career ambitions. Men and women were largely in agreement regarding what would or would not discourage them. However, women were more likely than men to indicate that needing to be available outside of working hours and needing to work longer hours would deter them from seeking a leadership role.

Event: On Dec. 4, Gallup and WOHASU^® will host a discussion with experts, corporate leaders and women entrepreneurs on creating work environments where women can thrive professionally and personally. You can attend in person in Washington, D.C., or virtually.