Young voters fear mass shootings but are divided on gun control
Research on the ‘massacre generation’ reveals that shared fear over mass shootings doesn’t lead to shared policy views.
Approximately 60% of eligible young Americans express intentions to participate in the 2026 midterm elections, marking a record turnout for voters under 30. Gun control is a pressing issue for this demographic, given the prevalence of mass shootings throughout their lives. Some individuals have even experienced multiple shooting events before reaching adulthood.
Young adults are deeply divided on the topic of gun control, with their fear of mass shootings influencing their political leanings. A recent study surveyed nearly 1,700 young adults aged 18 to 29 and discovered that fear of mass shootings divides this generation along political and gender lines. While most young adults support measures such as permitting gun carrying in public and prohibiting guns on college campuses, they also express skepticism about the effectiveness of gun control laws.
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