Study shows most Americans blame government mistakes, not guns, for Florida shooting

By Teri Webster

A new study shatters the notion that a vast majority of Americans believe stricter gun control laws could have stopped the mass shooting in Florida.

Most Americans blame the shooting on failures by the local, state and federal governments, according to a Rasmussen Reports study. The study was done in response to the Valentine’s Day shooting that left 17 people dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Fifty-four percent of Americans surveyed believe the shooting could have been avoided if government agencies responded to reports of warning signs from the killer. Additionally, 33 percent blamed a lack of adequate gun control and 11 percent cited other factors, according to the survey.

On the issue of gun control, 41 percent of those surveyed said stricter gun control laws would be the most effective approach to reduce mass murders. Just as many — 40 percent — said treating mental health issues would be the most effective approach.

What about Republicans vs. Democrats?

Results were also broken down along party lines. The survey showed Republicans were more likely than Democrats to blame the government.

Seventy-five percent of Republicans and 55 percent of adults not affiliated with either major political party believe that government failure …Read the Rest

Source:: The Blaze