A study by the Pew Research Center shows Americans are supporting the Second Amendment like never before. In December, Pew discovered 52% of Americans supported protecting the right to keep and bear arms while 46% wanted gun control. Furthermore, 63% of the respondents said a firearm in the home makes it a safer place to be, while only 30% said a boom stick makes the place more dangerous.

Pew found an interesting reason behind the change in opinion, however: Pew writes, “Over the past 25 years or so, there has been a divergence between American perceptions about crime and actual crime rates. And those who worried about crime had favored stricter gun control; now, they tend to desire keeping the laws as they are or loosening gun control. In short, we are at a moment when most Americans believe crime rates are rising and when most believe gun ownership — not gun control — makes people safer.” In the ‘90s, those who worried about crime looked to the government for their security. Now, Americans are looking to the rights enshrined in the Constitution. More…