A new poll shows that support for gun control is declining, according to CNN.com.
A news survey, conducted by CBS News, shows that support for stricter gun laws has dropped 10 points since the numbers were at 57 percent after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary school.
This comes at a time where discussion of gun laws is high and the country has seen recent shootings in Aurora, Chicago, and Connecticut.
The poll correlates with a CNN/ORC International survey released last week. The poll showed a nine percent drop, from 52 percent to 43 percent, from the time of the shooting in Connecticut that killed 20 people, to now. Other polls have shown a similar decline in support.
Fox News released a poll last week showing a slight decline in specific gun control laws. The laws included making assault rifles illegal for citizens, as well as, banning high capacity ammunition clips.
CNN Polling Director Keating Holland questioned whether the decline represents a new trend or a return to the status quo.
"Opinion on gun control was fairly steady over the past few years, but seemed to spike after the Connecticut shootings," Keating said. "The big question is whether support for major new gun laws has simply dropped back down to that previous level or whether the slide will continue even further."
He attempted to explain the reason for the decline.
"Support for stricter gun control has fallen dramatically among two groups -- older Americans and people who live in rural areas," he said. "In the immediate aftermath of the shootings in Connecticut, the number of rural Americans who supported major gun restrictions rose to 49% but now that support has dropped 22 points. Support for stricter gun laws dropped 16 points among Americans over 50 years old in that same time."
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid recently announced working to push a bill requiring background checks for potential gun owners. However, while there is good amount of public support for the measure, he could face a bit of trouble getting Congress to pass the law.
