Gun Grabbing: A Reversal of Fortune, by Bryan Caplan

While reflecting on the Briggs-Tabarrok Effect, I stumbled across a shocking Gallup survey.  Back in 1959, Gallup started asking a random sample of Americans the following question:

What about the possession of pistols and revolvers -- do you think there should be a law which would forbid possession of this type of gun except by the police or other authorized person?

The question was slightly changed over the years.  Since 1980 it's been:

Do you think there should or should not be a law that would ban the possession of handguns, except by the police or other authorized persons?

The current breakdown is just what Europeans would expect of Cowboy Nation.  Only 25% of Americans say "Yes, should be" - versus 74% who say, "No, should not be."  But if you think this reflects a long-standing American tradition, you're dead wrong.  Back in 1959, the breakdown was 60% yes, 36% no.  Support for gun-grabbing fell almost non-stop during the ensuing decades, with just one odd reversal in 1979.  The full survey history, 1959-2013:



Gun rights activists might be tempted to invoke the Whig theory of history: Evidence and argument have slowly but surely won the day.  But as a general rule, I don't see the slightest reason to believe such stories.  More and better outreach?  Also hard to believe.  During my 18 non-libertarian years, I heard occasional anti-gun propaganda but no pro-gun propaganda. 

What's a better story?

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