According to a new McClatchy-Marist poll released Tuesday, roughly 63 percent of US residents claimed they fear that they or someone they know would fall prey to gun violence, while only 29 percent of respondents consider terrorism a greater threat.
The survey also indicates there’s a striking split between political parties.
While Democrats tend to believe that guns are a greater danger than terrorism by a 44% margin, Republicans put terrorism ahead by a 10% margin.
“If you’re a Republican candidate worried about the Republican base in the primaries, you’re going to want to be talking about terrorism and what’s happening in the Middle East,” he said.
Black Americans feared gun violence the most, with 71 percent saying they are afraid of being killed by guns, while only 13 percent said they are worried about being attacked by terrorists.
In general, the poll indicated that 48% of US residents cared more about domestic issues like the economy, health care and infrastructure, than international problems.
The poll was conducted after Barack Obama introduced his new initiative to strengthen federal gun laws last October.
