Poll: Gender differences on gun issues

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HARTFORD, Conn., Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Women and men sharply differ on gun control following the massacre at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., a University of Connecticut poll indicates.

Nationwide, 57 percent of women said gun laws should be stricter, while 44 percent of men expressed the same view, results of the University of Connecticut/Hartford Courant poll released Thursday indicated.

In addition, 58 percent of women and 38 percent of men favor banning military-style assault weapons.

Survey participants also favored banning military-style assault weapons and clips capable of holding more than 10 bullets, the poll indicated. They also support creating a federal database for sales of all guns and a law that would prevent anyone with mental illness from buying a gun.

In December, Adam Lanza killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School after killing his mother. After the school shootings, he committed suicide.

The survey also indicated 84 percent favor background checks before anyone could buy firearms at a gun show and 79 percent said an increased police presence at schools would be a deterrent to mass shootings.

The survey of 1,002 adults was conducted Jan. 22-28 and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.