Gun policy is the top issue for Virginia voters

Just one month before the state legislature election, a Washington Post-Schar School poll finds gun policy is a top issue for Virginia voters. That may bode well for Democrats, who have seized on the issue in the aftermath of the May mass shooting in Virginia Beach.

Three of four voters rank gun policy as a “very important” voting issue, more than any other item included in the survey.

Gun policy, the economy, and education rounded out voters’ top three issues in terms of net favorability, with 91 percent of respondents saying these issues were either “very” or “fairly” important.

Majorities of respondents support gun reforms championed by Democrats, like assault weapons bans and limiting handgun purchases to one per month.

Expanding background checks and “red flag” laws that let authorities take guns away from people deemed a danger were the most favored gun safety measures, with 88% and 82% support, respectively.

The same poll finds that those who say they are certain to vote prefer Democrats over Republicans, 52% to 41%.