More than half of the American population opposes stricter gun control laws, according to a new poll.

The CNN/ORC poll released Wednesday and conducted among 1,028 adults from Oct. 14 to 17 with a margin of error of 3 percentage points showed that 52 percent opposed stricter gun control laws compared to 46 percent who said they are in favour.

Last June, the same poll showed that 49 percent of Americans are equally split on the issue, according to CNN.

Among men, 42 percent are in favour while 56 are opposed. Among women, 49 percent are in favour while 48 percent are against it.

Among white, 41 percent are in favour while 57 percent oppose, and among non-white, 55 percent are in favour while 43 percent are opposed.

By party affiliation, 74 percent of Democrats surveyed support stricter gun laws while 25 are opposed. Among Republicans, 20 percent are in favour and 76 percent are opposed.

The new poll also showed that Americans are nearly equally split on whether guns in public places make those places safe, less safe or don't make a difference.

A total of 35 percent said it makes public places safer while 33 percent said it makes public places less safe while 32 percent said it does not make a difference.

Most of Americans say the nationwide gun laws should only be changed with the support of most Americans and most gun owners.

The poll showed that seven in 10 Americans believe it is important for most Americans to support proposed changes to gun laws before they are implemented, CNN said, while 61 percent said the same of gun owners.

Half of Americans also said it is important for Republicans and Democrats to have a consensus before making any changes to existing gun laws.

CNN said other polls showed an overwhelming majority of Americans are in favour of expanding background checks to private sales and sales at gun show where people buy guns without undergoing a background check.

People with a college degree are also more likely to support gun control measures: 52 percent of those Americans support stricter gun control while 46 percent oppose tighter measures.