Guns

In 2010, 54% of survey respondents agree with the statement “government does not do enough to regulate access to guns,” down from 63% in 2000. There are strong differences between political parties on this issue in 2010. Seventy-seven percent of Democrats say that government does not do enough to regulate guns, whereas most Republicans (59%) believe that government goes too far in restricting gun ownership. Women and men are also sharply divided on the issue. Sixty-three percent of women say government does not do enough, compared to 51% of men. Why is there a 9-point decline in support for stricter gun measures? This may be an expression of an overall dislike of government regulation of any sort—especially among male Republicans—that has been historically part of Orange County’s libertarian political culture. This has also been a heated issue nationwide since the election of President Obama. Locally, the issue has manifested itself in the conflict between Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens and the Board of Supervisors over how many concealed weapons permits should be issued.