2025 Insights: Broad Public Support for Gun Safety from the Johns Hopkins National Survey

J Jesus Prado
Sep 26
3 min read

In a time of polarization, the latest 2025 Johns Hopkins National Survey of Gun Policy reveals a powerful truth: Americans agree on more than we think, especially when it comes to keeping our communities safe from gun violence. Whether Democrat or Republican, gun owner or not, the majority of respondents support stronger public safety measures grounded in evidence, empathy, and public health.

This post unpacks key takeaways from the 2025 survey, explores rising support for safety solutions, and highlights what this means for changemakers working to prevent gun violence through education, art, and inclusive dialogue.

What Is the 2025 National Survey of Gun Policy?

Every two years, the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions conducts a national survey to track Americans' attitudes toward firearm policies. In January 2025, the survey reached 2,977 adults, including gun owners and non-owners, Republicans and Democrats, capturing a meaningful snapshot of where the country stands on solutions to gun violence.

The Big Picture: Shared Values in Gun Policy

One of the most encouraging findings? Across political lines, Americans widely support policies that reduce risk and protect lives. Among the top-supported strategies:

Universal background checks
Safe storage laws
Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs)
Prohibiting guns in high-risk public settings like bars, stadiums, and political protests

This demonstrates growing momentum toward common-sense safety measures that reflect shared public values, rather than partisan divides.

A Public Health Approach to Gun Violence

In 2023 alone, over 46,000 people died from firearms in the U.S., including nearly 27,300 suicides and more than 17,900 homicides. To address this crisis, Johns Hopkins recommends a four-part public health approach:

Define and monitor the problem
Identify risk and protective factors
Develop and evaluate prevention strategies
Ensure widespread adoption of effective solutions

This strategy mirrors what we believe at Visioning Beyond Violence: that communities deserve tools, not trauma, to address gun violence from the ground up.

Young Lives, Urgent Needs

One of the most painful realities uncovered: gun violence remains the #1 cause of death for children and teens in the U.S. The 2025 survey acknowledges the need for more tailored data and solutions, especially for marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected.

These findings align with what our students in Oakland and Portland already know—and what they express through quilt panels, spoken word, and community exhibits. Young people are ready to be visionary leaders. But they need our support.

Healing Through Policy and Practice

We’ve always known that art can open hearts. Now, we know that policy can open doors to real, systemic change. The 2025 National Survey offers a clear call to action for legislators, educators, and community leaders:

Fund trauma-informed programs rooted in equity
Empower youth to lead prevention efforts
Enact evidence-based laws already supported by the public

In short, the majority of Americans are ready. Are our systems?

Join Us in Reimagining Safety

The findings from Johns Hopkins affirm what we’ve seen on the ground: that people, especially young people, are ready to co-create safer communities. At Visioning Beyond Violence, we’re committed to supporting that future through art, education, and inclusive dialogue. Join us.