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Monday, September 23, 2013

Gallup Poll: Most Americans Blame Mental Health System, Not Gun Access, For Mass Shootings



A new Gallup poll released today shows that more Americans blame the country’s mental health system for mass shootings more than any other factor – including ease of access to guns.

The poll was released today in the wake of the Navy Yard shooting. Gallup compared the poll’s results to those of a similar poll taken in 2011 after the Tucson, Arizona shooting which left six people dead and twelve more injured – including Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Gilfords.

In the poll, 48% of respondents placed a “great deal of blame” on the mental health system for failing to identify individuals that pose a risk to others. Only 40% placed a great deal of blame for shootings on easy access to guns – down 6% from the 2011 poll. 37% of Americans said drug use should be blamed for the shootings.

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