America is split over their stance on gun culture. According to a recent Pew Survey, about half of Americans firmly believe that owning a gun is beneficial to their safety, while the other half takes the opposite stance – that gun ownership contributes to a reduction in safety. Gun violence is ranked among the top five issues – inflation, drug addiction, health care costs, and partisan gridlock – for about 60% of American adults. (Here is a look at the states with the least restrictive gun laws.)
Awareness of the issues posed by gun violence is split along party lines to a much higher degree than for any of the other top issues. The same Pew survey found that 81% of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters consider gun violence a serious problem, compared to only 38% of Republican and Republican-leaning voters. Few other issues embody partisanship more clearly than gun control. The list of U.S. senators with a grade of F or F- from the GOA includes every Democrat in the chamber and only one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. (Here is a look at the most and least popular Democratic senators.)
24/7 Wall St. identified the strongest gun control advocates in the U.S. Senate using data from the nonprofit gun rights lobbying group, Gun Owners of America. Of the 100 sitting U.S. Senators, GOA assigned 96 with a letter grade, from A+ to F-, for their positions on gun legislation. The highest grades were given to the most pro-gun lawmakers and the lowest to the most staunch supporters of gun control. GOA gun policy grades are based only on the most recent available data. Some prominent lawmakers have shifted their positions in recent years, which may not be reflected on the GOA site.
Why This Matters
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Scroll below to find out which US senators are doing the most to control guns:
Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) of Wisconsin
Source: Kris Connor / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 44% approve, 42% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Michael Bennet (D) of Colorado
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 47% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D) of Washington
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 50% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Chris Coons (D) of Delaware
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 53% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D) of Illinois
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 51% approve, 34% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. John Fetterman (D) of Pennsylvania
Source: Mark Makela / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 43% approve, 40% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Margaret Hassan (D) of New Hampshire
Source: Scott Eisen / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 50% approve, 40% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D) of New Mexico
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 43% approve, 34% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Mark Kelly (D) of Arizona
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 53% approve, 38% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Ben Lujan (D) of New Mexico
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 44% approve, 37% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Edward Markey (D) of Massachusetts
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 55% approve, 26% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D) of Nevada
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 50% approve, 40% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D) of Oregon
Source: Mark Wilson / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 47% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 48% approve, 46% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Patty Murray (D) of Washington
Source: Chris Joseph Taylor / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 50% approve, 38% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) of Georgia
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 46% approve, 37% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Alex Padilla (D) of California
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 44% approve, 27% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Gary Peters (D) of Michigan
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 43% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Brian Schatz (D) of Hawaii
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 65% approve, 24% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I) of Arizona
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 42% approve, 44% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Jon Tester (D) of Montana
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 58% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D) of Maryland
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 51% approve, 23% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Mark Warner (D) of Virginia
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 50% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Raphael Warnock (D) of Georgia
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 49% approve, 42% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Peter Welch (D) of Vermont
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F (reliably supports gun control legislation)
- Popularity (2023): 62% approve, 25% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D) of Connecticut
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 54% approve, 36% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Cory Booker (D) of New Jersey
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 47% approve, 37% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) of Ohio
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 44% approve, 35% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D) of Maryland
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 52% approve, 23% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Thomas Carper (D) of Delaware
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 54% approve, 29% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Richard Durbin (D) of Illinois
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 47% approve, 35% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D) of California
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 45% approve, 38% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D) of New York
Source: Kena Betancur / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 47% approve, 32% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D) of Colorado
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 48% approve, 35% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Mazie Hirono (D) of Hawaii
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 60% approve, 30% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Timothy Kaine (D) of Virginia
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 47% approve, 36% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) of Minnesota
Source: Stephen Maturen / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 53% approve, 36% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 38% approve, 55% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Robert Menendez (D) of New Jersey
Source: Kena Betancur / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 40% approve, 39% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Christopher Murphy (D) of Connecticut
Source: Alex Wong / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 55% approve, 32% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. John Reed (D) of Rhode Island
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 54% approve, 27% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D) of Nevada
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- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 42% approve, 36% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Bernard Sanders (I) of Vermont
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 64% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Charles Schumer (D) of New York
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 53% approve, 36% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D) of New Hampshire
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 51% approve, 39% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Tina Smith (D) of Minnesota
Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2020): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 45% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2027
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) of Michigan
Source: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 46% approve, 36% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D) of Massachusetts
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 52% approve, 38% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) of Rhode Island
Source: Win McNamee / Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2018): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 51% approve, 33% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2025
Sen. Ron Wyden (D) of Oregon
Source: Pool / Getty Images News via Getty Images
- Gun Owners of America grade (2022): F- (carries or cosponsors gun-control legislation and reliably supports gun-control bills)
- Popularity (2023): 50% approve, 34% disapprove
- End of term of service: 2029
Methodology
To identify the U.S. senators with the strongest pro-gun control positions, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data compiled by Gun Owners of America, a nonprofit gun rights lobbying group. GOA uses legislative voting records to assign a letter grade to sitting U.S. senators on their gun control positions. In the case where senators do not have an extensive voting record, they are graded based on their responses to GOA survey questions. Grades range from A+, reserved for the most staunch gun-rights senators, to F-, assigned to senators with the strongest gun-control agendas.
Only the 50 senators with a grade of F or F- appear on this list. The 50 senators on this list are split into two groups, starting with those who received a grade of F, and followed by those with an F-, and are listed alphabetically. Each senator’s grade is for the most recent year of available data, between 2018 and 2022.
Of all 100 sitting U.S. senators, four have not received a grade from GOA: Sen. Dan Sullivan (R) of Alaska, Sen. Cindy Clyde-Smith (R) of Mississippi, Sen. Pete Ricketts (R) of Nebraska, and Sen. J.D. Vance (R) of Ohio.
We also reviewed supplementary data on each senator’s approval and disapproval rating from Morning Consult, a public opinion data research company. Approval and disapproval ratings are based on survey data from each senator’s state, collected in the first quarter of 2023.
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