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A new study from Insights West indicates new gun control laws proposed by the federal government are backed by the majority of British Columbians. But less than half of those polled believe the new laws will not do anything to curb gun violence.

Following the release of details last week by the federal Liberals gun buyback program, a new Insights West poll has found that the majority of Western Canadian residents support the new legislation despite the fact that far fewer believe it will be effective in reducing gun violence.

The study found support levels across British Columbia and Alberta are very similar. A total of 65 per cent support the new gun legislation in B.C., about the same number as are supportive in Alberta, 63 per cent.

As you might imagine, differences in the levels of opposition to these new laws is higher among gun owners and non-owners in both provinces, but the differences are not as great as expected. Gun owners in both provinces are decidedly more opposed, 58 per cent, to the new legislation than non-owners, 21 per cent. It might be surprising to note that 39 per cent of gun owners support this legislation, according to the poll.

Despite the relatively high levels of support for the legislation, residents of Alberta and B.C. are not entirely convinced about the effectiveness of these new laws, as only 41 per cent are convinced that the new gun law will be effective in reducing gun violence in their provinces.

“Despite the controversy around this legislation, the vast majority of Canadians in Alberta and B.C. are in favour of the proposed changes to gun laws in our country” says Steve Mossop, President of Insights West.

“Gun violence in our country has been an issue over the years, killing an average about 1,300 people across the country every year, but residents in the west are not convinced that this new legislation will help change things.”

Results are based on an online study conducted from February 24-March 3, 2021 among a sample of 1,537 residents in British Columbia (1,039) and Alberta (498). The margin of error with the total sample—which measures sample variability—is +/- 1.9 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

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