Americans don't believe stricter gun control laws would have prevented the shootings in Arizona, though many would like to see some changes in gun laws. This Economist/YouGov Poll finds division on whether or not the tone of political discussions played a role in the shooting. But most Americans approve of the way President Obama has handled the aftermath.
In fact, only 15% overall say they disapprove of the President's response to the shootings. 55% approve. Republicans, whose overall job approval ratings for the President have been in single digits for a while, narrowly approve of what he has done in response to the shootings: 39% of them approve, 28% do not.
The President's speech at the memorial at the University of Arizona also got high marks: 51% described it as very good, and another 25% saying it was "good.
But there is no consensus among the public as to how the shootings might have been prevented.
