Americans Support Gun Rights Over Gun Control -Pew Poll Shows

[Beezer]

My guess is that part of the problem (as some have mentioned as well) is the broad nature of the question. These days "gun rights" are moreover part of the broader GOP-Democratic ideological war. 20 years ago it might have been possible for conservative Republicans to call for sensible gun control laws. These days though a topic like this is perceived through the lens of the general culture war for the soul of America. Those who accept stricter gun laws are essentially seen as taking a big dump on the graves of the Founding Fathers. That's why even conservatives who've never held let alone owned a gun may support gun rights. Of course when you break it down to a question like "do you think schizophrenic felons should be allowed to purchase AK-47s w/o background checks" the percentages change.

[Beezer]

Exactly.  Criminals break the law by definition, so if they want guns, they're going to try to get them.  They don't care about the law in the first place, so trying to restrict gun rights that way is completely stupid.

Which is why in Europe we see countless armed robberies and homicides...