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Subscribe to RSSThe public heavily favors universal background checks for gun buyers, and a majority of Americans approve of a federal database to track gun sales as well as a ban on "assault style weapons," a new poll from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press shows.
In the survey, 85 percent of respondents said they favor background checks for private and gun show sales, while only 12 percent say they oppose such checks.
Sixty-seven percent of adults surveyed approve of a federal database to track gun sales, the poll indicated. A majority -- 55 percent -- back a ban on assault weapons, with 40 percent saying they don't approve of the ban, a measure for which President Barack Obama again voiced support during a press conference today. (The partisan breakdown, however, is stark, with seven in ten Democrats backing the ban compared to just 44 percent of Republicans.)
A major gender gap also remains on the gun issue; women favor an assault weapons ban by almost 20 percentage points over men. Women are also far less likely to support the idea of encouraging more gun ownership among teachers and other school officials.
Overall, the NRA-backed idea of encouraging more armed guards and police officers at schools garners wide support, with just 32 percent opposing and 64 percent favoring the proposal.
But when it comes to arming more teachers, those numbers are nearly flipped, with 57 percent giving the idea a thumbs down.
The Pew survey was conducted January 9-13, with a sample size of 1,502 adults. The margin of error for the total sample is +/- 2.9 percentage points.
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A 9mm semi-automatic or a .38 cal revolver will do more to mitigate the threat of bodily injury or death and protect you and your family from criminal evil doers than, Calling 9-1-1 will ever be there for your defense.
9-1-1 is who we call for back-up, clean-up & investigation of events previously transpired.
The Obligation of Self-preservation, including but not limited too, defense of yourself and family, is an inherent Right, every human receives at birth, and a Duty that that is, developed over A lifetime.
I am Just happy there are tools available, that help make that an easier Responsibility to meet.
'God Speed" VLGil
Your hypothetical scenario above is ridiculous. I consider myself a Liberal and I have been a gun owner all of my life and I would not hesitate to use them. However, I am seriously considering having my guns melted. The silly, childish, and dangerous people who now advocate for gun ownership under the guise of defending constitutional rights are so offensive to those rights that they are creating a well spring of opposition. The fact that they are in effect defending wackos like Adam Lanza, James Holmes, and Jared Loughner, is beyond disgusting, these are child killers one and all. Those who defend them under the guise of defending gun rights are sold out fools to the gun industry who apparently think that society will tolerate this madness and silently watch as their children are massacred. Guns that I previously enjoyed for sport and marksmanship have become offensive objects of horror. I now believe it is braver to live without them.
James, no one is defending the likes of Lanza, Holmes, or Loughner period. That's an absolutely absurd and ridiculous statement, and it is beyond disgusting that you would try to twist someone's argument's about their freedoms in that manner.
The NRA has done NOTHING to cooperate with the effort to limit accessibility of guns by mentally ill people. They champion the Gun Show exemption from background checks. In fact Loughner PASSED a background check for Christ's sake. They give lip service to this idiotic notion that people need guns to defend themselves from their own representative government. They support the presence of assault weapons and high capacity magazines in our communities. They support the idea of secrecy about who owns gun and who does not. They abhor the idea of gun registration even though it would be a huge benefit to police when sent to an address to have some idea of the fire power at that address. When a school massacre happens their only answer is to put MORE GUNS in schools---a truly sickening idea. I am afraid they are defending the lunatics out there. How??? By doing NOTHING, by contributing NOTHING to the debate and by doing NOTHING but promoting more guns for their lords and masters---the Gun Industry.
Actually they've done more than nothing. They've lobbied congress (and succeeded) in preventing taxpayer money from being used towards gun violence research. We have great statistics with in-depth detail on a host of topics, like car accidents, industrial fatalities, infant mortality, etc etc etc. But we don't have good data like this for gun violence. Then people complain when we get lousy gun legislation. Well look at the starting information! Of course we get lousy gun legislation!
What is the NRA et al afraid of in those numbers? Why is basic fact finding not allowed?
Convenient and James...
I applaud you both.. Thank you for an intelligent exchange of opinion. You both make excellant points without stooping to the adolescent spewing of insults this forum has degenerated to.
Again thank you.
Assault weapons (automatic rifles) have been illegal to sell for over 25 years.
Should the Congress pass a law defining an AR-15 as an assault weapon then the gun lobby's definition becomes moot.
You can classify a BB gun as an assault weapon if you wish. The common definition for an assault weapon is an automatic rifle.
Of course all of this talk is about what and what cannot be sold in the future. It will do nothing about the 300,000,000 guns of all types now in the hands of the public.
Irrelevant. If Congress wants to ban semi-automatic rifles and decides to call the "assault weapons" then that is what they will be.
The GOP house won't go for it, and the USSC has already ruled that the Second Amendment specifically allows individuals to own firearms.
You'll be able to have all the muskets you can carry.
And then we'll kill electronic media and go back to printing presses.
Because, it's freedom of the press, not freedom of the television/radio.
At what point/number of guns does the definition change from "private gun ownership" to "private army"? 100 guns? 1,000? 10,000? I believe private armies are illegal.
The majority of Americans have no idea how assault weapon was defined under the previous ban or how little that definition might change under the proposed legislation.
OBAMA News ,NBC ran this pole to make people think he knows what he is talking about
So many ill-informed or deliberately deceitful people are trying to say "the Government doesn't want to take your guns".
Well, you are wrong.
Here is the truth: The Government DOES want to remove guns from the People:
Straight from the Mouth of a U.S. Government Attorney
The U.S. government argues in federal court (U.S. v. Emerson information page) that there is absolutely no right of an individual to own firearms!
I don't know if private army's are illegal or not, as I don't think the militia's are illegal. Yes Assault weapons are illegal to sell, have been for many years. And when that illegal law was passed and never challenged is beyond me. No where in the 2nd amendment does it say what type of weapon/arms, nor does it say anything about ammo or how much ammo.
I have no problem with a background check done on people buying weapons, as long as those records are kept secret or after the check is done and no problems, the request with all names is destroyed. The govt doesn't need more paperwork to keep on it's citizens.
So now 1,502 people speak for millions of gun owners? Why even post an article about this stupid poll.
The poll is junk. The poll uses a made up, nonsensical, political term, i.e., assault weapon. No such thing. What is an assault weapon? A fully automatic select fire weapon like an AK47 or an M16? You can't buy either in an American gun store. Or is it the Clinton era assault weapon ban definition-a semiautomatic rifle possessing 2 or more of the following features- a bayonet lug, flash suppressor, pistol grip or more than a 30 round magazine? An AR15 fits neither of these definitions. Or are we making up some new definition? Polling the ignorant about a fairy tale weapon accomplishes what NBC?
Yeah. Just like them polls that predicted Obama would win. Oh, wait, he did win. Never mind.
Did you know you're a dumb a$$?
You mean Obama didn't win?
No they are speaking for the CHILDREN.
As I read through these comments I realize just how dumb, stupid and ignorant those who believe in gun control really are. The only other possible explanation is that there must be a political explantion and agenda, which maker gun controllers useful idiots. I'm not even going to waste my time making any arguments. You can't argue with those who are drunk on a panacea.
Good. You won't waste our time either.
Yeah, I know. Gun control should be out of control. In fact lets arm kids starting at about 5yrs old. I think the NRA would love that. Yeah you are so right. I think you hit the nail on the head. No GUN control. Lets be out of control. You are stupid as the day is long.
Improvement of backgound checks is not something anyone will have a problem with AS LONG AS THE SYSTEM IS NOT ABUSED BY THE GOVERNMENT AS A WAY TO "KEEP TABS" ON LAW_ABIDING CITIZENS.
Magazine capacity restrictions are not a good idea. Many firearms owners are not "regular" shooters. They are far from being marksmen/sharpshooters. When placed in a situation that such a person needs to defend themselves, they should have as many rounds as possible to maximize the likelihood that they will be able to successfully do so. When a nut job goes into a gun-free zone with a "limited capacity" magazine how difficult will it be for him/her to simply swap out an empty magazine with a full spare one? It takes all of about 2 seconds to perform such an operation. Or perhaps they will just carry a second firearm? Magazine capacity restrictions won't prevent such attacks from happening, nor will they decrease the damage that gets done when they do.
The killing of school children is a very emotional issue, but the statistics show that mass killings are only a tiny portion of the total of murders in the US every year. By far, handguns are used for murder more than any other method.
While I personally disagree with the NRA's interpretation of the second ammendment, there is no chance of rewriting it. The focus must therefore be on reducing the motivations for murder. Profitability of gangs is the easiest area to target.
So here it is. If America is a free country, people should be allowed to make their own informed decisions about what to put in their bodies. Make Drugs legal and tax them. Hundreds of billions are wasted every year in the never ending, ever expanding drug war. A tiny fraction of that money would be enough to treat the cronic drug users that get into trouble.
As was seen after prohibition was aboloshed, profitibility of gangs dropped, the murder rate dropped and membership in gangs dropped.
The drug inforcement industry has no motivation to end the drug war. From the sherriffs, to the Private prisons, their livelyhood and profit relies on the ever expanding war on drugs and the imprisonment of casual users.
I'm not even a casual user of drugs. But it is easy to see that this is a relitively painless way to reduce murder and crime in general. It also could, with the savings from enforcement, and revenue from consumption taxes, balance the budget.
Perspective:
Since 1949, 150,000 more Americans have been murdered than have died in combat in all the wars America has ever been involved in.
From January 1 1949 until now, just over 1 million Americans have been murdered.
Yes I counted at the bureau of statistics site.
Let that sink in. A Million Murdered.
Something has to change.
Approximate causes of death per year:
500,000 – Tobacco
200,000 – Medical Errors
100,000 – Alcohol Abuse
40,000 – Vehicle Accidents
30,000 – Suicide
25,000 – Drug Abuse
10,000 – Firearm Homicide
323 – Rifle (all types) Homicides In 2011 (FBI data)
There were almost 5 times as many homicides by knife (or other cutting instrument) in 2011, according to the FBI, as there were homicides by rifle.
The data suggests that if you are worried about what is causing injury/death in this country that rifles should be at the very bottom of your list.
well we are all going to die eventually but the idea is to let the children live a long life. Stop the slaughter.
500,000 – Tobacco REGULATED. How many more would die if it were not? I for one am glad not to have second hand smoke in my office. Want to kill yourself with cigarretes, be my guest.
200,000 – Medical Errors YES. Let's abolish medicine. Then see how many dead.
100,000 – Alcohol Abuse REGULATED. No one will force you to drink it. Want to kill yourself by driking? Be my guest.
40,000 – Vehicle Accidents WELL REGULATED. Cars are essential to our way of life. Accidents are regretable but on balance, cars give much more than they take. Guns, not so much.
30,000 – Suicide Interestingly, most sucides in this country, are executed with guns. In fact, it is the leading cause of gun deaths in this country. Studies show that the rate of suicide goes down when there are less guns.
25,000 – Drug Abuse WELL REGULATED. How many more dould die if we could all buy heroine with impunity? You want to kill yourself with heroin? Be my guest.
10,000 – Firearm Homicide Still much greater rate than all other developed nations. Is this an acceptable number for you?
323 – Rifle (all types) Homicides In 2011 (FBI data) 323 too many! In fact, just looking at Sandy Hook, 20 too many! Just so you can buy a Bushmaster?
Peter17. You should probably point out that with the exception of a few pistols with folding stock attachments the vast majority of firearms consider assault weapons are rifles. There were twice as many homicides by hands/feet in 2011 than by rifles.
notrocketscience - An emotional issue no doubt. Emotional decisions made under emotional circumstances tend to be less than optimum.
...one of the ways obama can address the weapons issue is by mandating enforcement of existing laws. but, hasn't the government been sued by states for lax enforcement of EXISTING LAWS related to immigration? a person i know was a worker's compensation fraud investigator--one investigator for an entire state! the state could say proudly that worker's compensation laws were being enforced, but little if anything was ever done with the work this person turned in. the state might as well have not bothered. is THIS the kind of enforcement we can expect from our government?
This poll is almost as bad as polling retards about brain surgery techniques.
Well there ya have it. Overwhelming support for Joe's recommendations to stop the massive slaughter of school children. This legislation should sail through congress. The NRA is done. Toast is like Grover and the Tea party. No longer a force in this country. Good job Mr. Vice President. Thank you American People. Finally the slaughter can stop.
The slaughter has just begun, and no I'm not threatening anybody or anything. Passing laws don't stiop crazies for doing crazy things. The same week these unfortunet children died, 20 children were kille in China by a mad mad with a machete. Get it. I doubt it. Think passed your emotions, or even just think for a change. You might find it enlighting.
Wrong Marcus, those children in China did not die. Some were injured, none dead. Therein lies the difference between a semi-automatic and a knife.
The primary, and really only purpose the 2nd ammendment exists is to protect the citizens from a tryannical government. You don't need to be a tabocco chewing red neck to understand that. The governement is suppose to fear the people, not the othe way around. We have the guns to keep them in line. And we are suppose to have the most modern, up-to-date weapons available, including 30 round clips. Our fouders made sure this was part of the Constitution to protect us against them. If you don't get this simple concept you don't understand much of anything. Go smoke some more pot.
Aside from the derogatory pot reference. This guy is completely right!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So they pump a bunch of problem kids with Pharmaceuticals, they go crazy and shoot a few people. NOW it's oooh we must get rid of guns! NICE TRY OBAMA! NOT happening! GUN UP AMERICA!!!!!! As if we haven't already. haha
The 2nd Amendment has absolutely nothing to do with overturning the United States Government. History is clear on that subject. There are other provisions of the constitution dealing with changing our government, peaceably, not by force.
Buy your logic, we should all have RPG's and Howitzers. You think if it came to it, a bunch of rednecks are goign to stop the US military?
BESIDES: Paranoia will destroy ya!
What a shame!! Gun Control? Yes! Not gun prohibiting. Here in PR we have one if not the most restricting gun control laws of the nation. First join a club, fill a bunch of forms, affidavits, pay some states fees get a local police background check plus the federal one and wait from 2-6 month to get your sport shooting license. Now you can buy your gun and have 30 days to get and send to the police gun handling and witnesses safety course or it is revoked. For a conceal carry add more money in fees, a lawyer and a visit to the court with two character witnesses to have a judge approved your license. You can only buy ammo in the caliber of your registered weapon. We here in PR also have one of the most violent crime statistics in the nation.
My point is that gun control won't stop violence or events like in Conn. Unstable person set on doing bad will always find a way of doing it. No matter what.
The right to bear arms created by our nation father, had one purpose, to defend ourself from the excess of our government as they did from Britain.
They already do some type of background check. I had to "be checked" before I could buy guns. I don't know what they looked into, but I am sure it was enough.
Obama is just saying this because he bought stock in the gun Companies. Everyone go out and buy an assault rifle, "before they are illegal". No seriously. Everyone, good guys that is, GO out and buy an assault rifle.
We shouldn't mess with my inalienable rights!
To "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" that is. Your Bushmaster threatens all three!
MY Bushmaster threatens NONE of them.
Get it right. The only threat to you is posed by some deranged individual or criminal (not from me or any firearm that I legally own and am responsible for).
Feisty was right. She predicted these poll numbers would set the gun nuts off. Now they are attacking the polls just like Karl Rover and Fox news before the last election. The polls were spot on then (not Fox's Rasmussen poll of course but the other polls were) and the polls are spot on now. Boo Yah. The American people support the school children over gun manufacturers. Nice, very nice indeed.
Since when do 1,502 people constitute a "majority"?
A poll about which of 2 politicians who actually exist will win an election has some meaning. A poll about a fairy tale instrument, i.e., assault weapon, which doesn't exist has no meaning. Get it Martinbecker.
The poll is correct. Live with it.
Correct only in the fevered precints of the loony left.
FBI data for 2011 – murder victims by weapon:
8,563 - total firearms
…..6,220 – handguns
…..323 – rifles (all types)
…..356 – shotguns
…..97 – other guns
…..1,587 – type not identified (most likely handguns)
1,694 – knives or cutting instruments
496 – blunt objects (clubs, hammers, etc.)
728 – personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.)
Semi-automatic rifles that look like assault rifles are just not the problem people and the media are trying to make them out to be. It also turns out that the murder rate by any type of firearm has been cut in half over the past 20 years even though private gun ownership has soared in the U.S. to an estimated 300,000,000. There is no increasing cycle of gun violence - the opposite is true.
Still much higher than in other developed countries. Just cause we went from horrible to half as horrible, doesn't mean we're doing well. How many deaths are acceptable just so you can have a Bushmaster?
Total deaths by firearm in Great Britain last year....35.
2012 rate of homicide US 4.2 deaths/100,000 including all means
2012 rate of homicide Grat Brittain 1.2 deaths/100,000 including all means. Apparently, the criminals DID NOT find other means.
Cowardly girlymen need lots and lots of guns to make themselves feel safe.
They are attempting to make up for their under-developed penis's.
You stole "girlymen" from Arnold. Nice.
I am a veteran and got my first gun when I was 7 and I am a pretty old guy. I don't know about banning assault rifles or magazines or background checks in terms of whether or not they will help. I do know that we have to try to do something. If it doesn't work we can try something else. The only practical application outside the home for assault rifles is targets and people. I do not belong to the NRA and am not a republican or democrats because I refuse to join anything or anyone that is going to take a position that I might disagree with (and they all do).
Well said.
Well they tried the semi auto looks but does not shoot like a military weapon ban and it did not help
Ron what's an assault rifle? And by the way when you relinquish rights you don't get them back without a fight.
You cannot trust PEW. They cater to whoever pays them. I have followed their polls on immigration and other issues and they craft their questions to favor special interests.
They got the election right. If the numbers had been reversed you would be say, Pew Rocks. They are always correct. Move along, move along. The numbers are correct.
Can we do better background checks for welfare too.....
Why don't you ask Emily or Dylan or one of the other children that was killed. In fact why don't you get your Gun and place it toward your head. Now I would applaud the use of that gun. You are just stupid as the day is long.