Despite a number of recent mass shootings, two new polls actually demonstrate a downward trend in support for new legislation concerning gun control, The Washington Free Beacon reported on Tuesday.
Public backing for such measures, however, is still substantial, even if the two polls did not illustrate increased enthusiasm for related legislation.
According to an ABC/Washington Post survey released last week, public support for "a nationwide ban on the sale" of undefined "assault weapons" dropped 6 points from last April to 56 percent.
That number is 9 points higher than its low in 2015, but 24 points less than its all-time high in 1994, when the federal assault weapons ban became law.
A Quinnipiac University poll from a week earlier demonstrated similar results, with backing for a nationwide ban on assault weapons falling 3 points from May to 60 percent and 7 points lower than its highest level in February last year.
It must be put in perspective, however, that despite slightly lower support for certain gun control measures, expanding background checks still enjoys 93 percent support in the latest poll, which has remained consistent over a long time period.