QU Poll Shows Broad Support for Gun Control

By margins of 2-1 or more, Connecticut voters support most gun control measures, including universal background checks (93–6 percent), a new Quinnipiac University poll released today shows.

Voters support stricter statewide gun-control laws, 66–30 percent, the independent poll finds. The poll shows support for specific measures including:

• 68–28 percent back expanding the statewide ban on the sale of assault weapons. Gun owners are opposed 49–44 percent
• 68–28 percent back a ban on the sale of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds. Gun owners are divided 49–48 percent
• 72–27 percent back registration of all handguns, with annual renewal.  Gun owners are divided with 48 percent in favor and 50 percent opposed
• 63 – 31 percent, including 50–46 percent among gun owners, favor limiting handgun purchases to one per month
• 85–14 percent, including 71–28 percent among gun owners, back a permit requirement to purchase and carry all guns
• 86–11 percent, including 85–12 percent among gun owners, favor a gun offender registry for those convicted of gun crimes;
• 76–19 percent, including 65–32 percent among gun owners, back stricter gun storage requirements;
• 50–43 percent back mandatory liability insurance for gun owners

"In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, there is overwhelming support among Connecticut voters for strengthening the state’s gun laws," said Douglas Schwartz, PhD, director of the Quinnipiac University poll.

"It is remarkable how bipartisan the support is for some of the most talked-about gun-control measures," he added. "Universal background checks tops the list with 93 percent support, higher than we’ve ever seen for any issue in 20 years of Connecticut surveys."

"Interestingly, Republican voters are divided 45–48 percent on the general question, 'Do you support or oppose stricter gun-control laws in Connecticut?'  They support, however, most of the specific measures," Schwartz added.

The Newtown tragedy makes them more likely to support gun-control, 54 percent of Connecticut voters say, while 43 percent say it makes no difference.

Voters are divided on a proposal to prohibit people convicted of drunk driving from owning guns, with 45 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed.

Voters also are divided on a proposed ban on children under 18 playing violent point-and-shoot video games in public arcades, with 46 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed.

Voters do support 54–41 percent placing armed police officers in public schools in the state.