In December 2023–January 2024, Count on Mothers examined mothers' views on the GOSAFE Act (S.3369), federal legislation regulating gas-operated semi-automatic firearms. Combining a national survey of mothers across regions and the political spectrum with in-depth interviews, the study captured perspectives on fixed-capacity restrictions, federal manufacturing regulation, conversion device bans, and a voluntary buy-back program. Mothers identified gun violence as a serious crisis affecting children and families — with broad support for the bill among liberal and moderate mothers, more divided views among conservative mothers, and differing emphases on solutions.

Related themes:

Child and Family Mental Health Access and Support

• 94% of mothers support federal restrictions on conversion devices (bump stocks, Glock switches) — the highest-agreement finding in the study.
• 93% of mothers support federal manufacturing regulation of gas-operated semi-automatic weapons, including design approval requirements and restrictions on unlawful self-assembly.
• 93% of mothers support a voluntary federal buy-back program for non-transferrable firearms and magazines.
• 93% of mothers believe the GOSAFE Act would have a positive overall impact on the safety, health, or well-being of kids and families.
• 90% of mothers support federal fixed-capacity restrictions for semi-automatic, gas-operated firearms.
• Support varied sharply by political ideology. Among very liberal, liberal, and moderate mothers, agreement consistently exceeded 96%. Among conservative mothers, agreement ranged from 36% to 59% by component. No very conservative mothers agreed with any provision.
• Shared concern, differing solutions. Across the political spectrum, mothers identified gun violence as a serious crisis affecting children. Conservative mothers emphasized mental health and underlying social conditions; moderate and liberal mothers emphasized regulation of firearm manufacture, sale, and transfer.

Source: Count on Mothers, Mothers' Views on the GOSAFE Act (S.3369), January 2024. Community panel survey of U.S. mothers, n=314, with six in-depth interviews (two conservative, two moderate, two liberal). Research led by a PhD-credentialed researcher.

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