Poll Reveals Americans Don’t Trust Democrats on Gun Control

A new nationwide poll confirms what many Americans already feel in their gut: Democrats can’t be trusted on gun control, crime, or public safety. As the failures of New York’s SAFE Act prove, when Democrats push restrictions, law-abiding citizens pay the price — and criminals thrive.

The Poll That Put Democrats on the Defensive

A Reuters/Ipsos survey released in September 2025, and covered in the New York Post, asked over 1,000 U.S. adults a simple question: “Which party has the better plan?”

The results were devastating for Democrats:

Republicans led Democrats on crime policy by 20 points.
Republicans were trusted more on gun rights and gun control by 4 points.
Across 7 of 11 major policy areas — including the economy, immigration, and crime — Americans sided with Republicans.

For years, Democrats have built their political messaging around promises of “gun safety” and “common sense gun laws.” Yet this poll shows that Americans increasingly view these policies as empty slogans — ones that punish the law-abiding while ignoring the root causes of crime.

Why Americans Don’t Trust Democrats on Gun Control

Gun control is marketed as a path to safety, but Americans are waking up to the reality: Democratic policies don’t work. Here’s why trust is eroding:

1. Crime in Gun-Control States Keeps Rising

States like New York, California, and Illinois boast some of the strictest firearm laws in America. Yet they consistently rank among the top in violent crime. If strict laws actually worked, these states should be the safest in the nation. Instead, law-abiding citizens are disarmed while criminals — who ignore laws anyway — continue to prey on communities.

2. The SAFE Act’s Failures

New York’s SAFE Act (Secure Ammunition and Firearms Enforcement Act of 2013) was passed in the dead of night, touted as a solution after tragedy. Over a decade later, it has achieved little except creating a hostile environment for legal gun ownership. Standard firearms are more expensive due to forced production of 10-round magazine compliant models. Online gun sales and promotions almost always exclude New Yorkers. Meanwhile, shootings in New York City remain unchanged.

3. Economics of Discrimination

Democrats like to pretend gun control is about “safety,” but in practice, it’s a tax on the working class. Because of low-volume runs of “compliant” firearms, New Yorkers pay hundreds more for the same handgun their friends in Florida or Texas buy at a discount. Accessories like threaded barrels, standard magazines, and even some optics are flat-out illegal. The SAFE Act doesn’t just limit rights — it prices ordinary citizens out of exercising the Second Amendment.

4. Soft-on-Crime Policies

While Democrats pile restrictions on law-abiding gun owners, they simultaneously push bail reform, no-cash bail, and early release programs that put repeat offenders back on the street. New Yorkers see the hypocrisy: the SAFE Act burdens you, while your neighbor’s violent offender walks free after a slap on the wrist.

Historical Context: We’ve Seen This Before

This is not the first time Americans have punished Democrats for overreaching on gun control. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed the so-called “Assault Weapons Ban.” The results? Violent crime stayed high, and Democrats were hammered in the midterm elections, losing control of Congress. By 2004, the ban expired because it showed no measurable impact on crime reduction.

Today’s polling echoes that moment. Americans remember history — and they’re rejecting failed policies that restrict rights without improving safety.

New Yorkers Feel the Pain of Failed Gun Control

For residents of New York, this poll isn’t just about politics — it’s about daily life. Here’s what the SAFE Act means for average New Yorkers:

Higher Costs: Handguns and rifles often cost more because compliant models must be specially produced.
Limited Access: Online specials and promotions almost always exclude NY-compliant firearms.
No Standard Magazines: New Yorkers are forced to accept 10-round limits, even though criminals ignore them.
Criminal Advantage: Gang members in NYC are not shopping at licensed dealers; they’re sourcing firearms illegally.

Meanwhile, families in safer states enjoy fair pricing, constitutional carry laws, and access to standard-capacity firearms that Democrats falsely brand as “weapons of war.”

Why Republicans Are Winning Trust

The poll results don’t exist in a vacuum. Americans are gravitating toward Republicans on crime and gun rights for several reasons:

Evidence-Based Policies: Republicans focus on prosecuting criminals, not restricting citizens.
Respect for the Constitution: GOP leaders consistently reaffirm the right to keep and bear arms.
Public Safety Over Politics: While Democrats lecture on “gun-free zones,” Republicans champion concealed carry, home defense, and community safety.

Voters are connecting the dots: gun control doesn’t equal crime control. Strong communities and effective policing do.

Polling Data: Trust Gap is Growing

Let’s look closer at the trust gap revealed in the Reuters/Ipsos poll:

Policy Area	Republican Advantage
Crime	+20
Gun Rights / Gun Control	+4
Economy	+12
Immigration	+18

Crime and gun rights stand out. When Americans think about safety and freedom, they trust Republicans — not Democrats.

What This Means for the Future of Gun Rights

For gun owners and future permit holders in New York, this poll is a wake-up call: you’re not alone. Millions of Americans are fed up with policies that punish them while rewarding criminals. National sentiment matters because it influences:

Supreme Court challenges like NYSRPA v. Bruen, which reaffirmed the right to carry.
Congressional races, where gun policy is a top issue.
State legislatures, which often follow national trends.

If Americans keep rejecting Democrats’ broken promises, the SAFE Act and similar laws may face new legal and political pressure.

FAQ: Democrats and Gun Control

Q: Does this poll mean gun control is over?
A: No. Democrats still control many states and will keep pushing restrictions. But public opinion is shifting — and that can’t be ignored.

Q: Why are New York gun prices so high?
A: Because manufacturers must build smaller runs of “10-round compliant” guns, driving up costs. National sales rarely include NY models.

Q: Are Republicans really safer on crime?
A: Polling and data suggest so. Republicans emphasize enforcement and deterrence, while Democrats emphasize restriction and reform.

Q: What can I do as a New Yorker?
A: Get trained, get licensed, and stay politically active. Take advantage of NY CCW classes to secure your rights and protect your family.

Conclusion: Americans Want Real Safety, Not Empty Promises

The Reuters/Ipsos poll confirms what many of us already know: Americans don’t trust Democrats on gun control. Crime continues to rise in “gun control utopias,” the SAFE Act bleeds New Yorkers financially, and law-abiding citizens are tired of being scapegoats.

Republicans aren’t perfect, but Americans are signaling they want policies that target criminals, not families. And for New Yorkers living under the weight of unconstitutional laws, this shift in sentiment offers something rare: hope.