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Poll: Virginians support stricter gun laws, but split on impact

A Roanoke College poll shows 71% support gun owner licensing and 62% back Virginia’s current redistricting system amid legislative debates on these issues.

  • On Monday the Institute for Policy and Opinion Research at Roanoke College released results from interviewing 800 Virginia residents in February 2026, finding most support stricter gun laws.
  • As the General Assembly debated these bills, Democrats pursued appeals tied to a proposed voter referendum while lawmakers advanced a revised congressional map, and several firearm-related measures await the governor's action.
  • Seventy-One percent of respondents supported licensing and 67% supported registration, while majorities backed bans on semi-automatic rifles , magazine limits , and semi-automatic handguns , but only 19% supported banning all firearms.
  • Survey respondents leaned toward better enforcement of existing laws rather than stricter laws , with perceived safety split at 49% safer, 35% no difference, and 16% less safe.
  • A clear majority backs the current redistricting method , while 52% said they'd keep the existing process in a referendum amid 65% national and 51% Virginia pessimism.
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Bias Distribution

  • 67% of the sources lean Right
67% Right

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roanoke.edu broke the news in on Monday, February 23, 2026.
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