Strong support for more gun background checks, poll shows

More than nine out of 10 voters in three states support closing the loophole that allows people to buy guns at gun shows without a background check, according to a series of Quinnipiac surveys conducted this month.

In the wake of the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut last month, President Obama has made the implementation of universal background checks one of his top gun control priorities. Currently, gun buyers are subject to criminal background checks when purchasing guns from federally licensed gun dealers, but unlicensed sellers are not required to do background checks. This loophole is typically exploited at gun shows.

According to the Quinnipiac polls, voters in Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, all support closing that loophole -- including most voters in households with a gun.

In Virginia, 92 percent of voters are in favor of "requiring background checks on people buying guns at gun shows," including 91 percent among voters in gun households. In New Jersey, 96 percent said they are also in favor of requiring background checks at gun shows, including 95 percent of voters in gun households.

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In Pennsylvania, voters were asked if they support "requiring background checks for all gun buyers," and 95 percent said they do (including 95 percent from gun households).

At an intense congressional hearing yesterday on the issue of gun violence, former astronaut and gun control advocate Mark Kelly said his top priority is fixing the nation's background check system. Kelly's wife, former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head in a mass shooting two years ago.

"The holes in our laws make a mockery of the background check system," Kelly said at the hearing. "Congress should close the private sales loophole, and the dangers people entered into that system."

Wayne LaPierre, the CEO and executive vice president of the NRA, also testified at the hearing, arguing against closing gun show loopholes. He said closing the loophole would be ineffective because criminals won't submit to background checks anyway. LaPierre said that efforts to curb gun violence should be focused on strengthening school security and improving mental health resources.

The Quinnipiac polls found that voters support having armed police in schools, though not as overwhelmingly as they support background checks.

In Virginia, voters back having armed police schools, 66 percent to 29 percent. In New Jersey, voters support the idea, 50 percent to 44 percent. Voters in Pennsylvania said, 46 percent to 42 percent, that armed guards would be more effective in reducing gun violence in schools than stricter gun laws.

[SlimeBagObama]

Another CBS/NYT/Kremlin poll. Enough said.

[nihahane]

Background checks will only work if the Gov. knows where all the millons and millons of guns are and who owns them. That will never happen.

[RickB2400]

doobiedotoo replies: linkicon reporticon emailicon
"Regulated" definition. (Source, Websters)1. to control or direct by a rule, principle, method, etc.: to regulate household expenses. 2. to adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree, etc.: to regulate the temperature.RickB2400 replies: linkicon reporticon emailicon Regulated" definition - I know the definition.
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The militia is and has always been regulated. Always will be. The 2nd Amendment says nothing of regulating guns. The exact words are "A well regulated Militia". The word regulated refers to the Militia, not the guns. Now, that you have learned that history lesson. Would you like to learn what "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." means ?

[RickB2400]

Too Funny ... I googled how to defend your property against an intruder and http://www.wikihow.com/Defend-Your-Property-Against-an-Intruder popped up.

# 1) Consider acquiring a gun. A handgun, like a 9mm or a .38 special will do.

# 2 ) Learn to use a gun. The first rule of gunfighting is owning a gun.

# 3 ) Store the gun

[RickB2400]

"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity" - Sigmund Freud

[RickB2400]

I wonder if ObamaCare will cover that problem ?

[RickB2400]

Nobody with common sense Mr Con Man

[Bojax39]

"More than nine out of 10 voters in three states support closing the loophole that allows people to buy guns at gun shows without a background check, according to a series of Quinnipiac surveys conducted this month."

CAUTION! Spin doctors at work! :-)

[RickB2400]

I wonder what 3 states it was ? I doubt you could get 9 of of 10 people in an entire state to agree on anything.

[TimeToEvolve]

Why would the paid off corrupt Congress, owned and run by Wall Street, care about what 90% of the people want? We have a sham of a nation now due to the right wing billionaires.

[PATIROT1776]

Obama don't care anything about human life when he was in the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama voted to deny basic constitutional protection for babies born alive from
a failed abortion. Not once, but four times.

There are more crimes in gun free areas than in areas where guns are allowed. The only thing gun control does is take guns away from law abiding citizens and put them at the mercy of the criminal.

We have a culture problem not a gun problem by the time a child is ten, the child has seen over a hundred crimes on with guns on TV. The ACLU and our federal dictators in black robes have taken God given morals out of our schools. Hollywood and the ACLU is making the people rotten to the core so don't be surprise when all h e l l brakes loose.

Your laws ignore our deepest needs;
Your words are empty air.
You 've stripped away our heritage,
You 've outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question "Why?"
You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!
Author Darrell Scott his daughter was killed at Columbine High School

William Patirot

[jd5502]

95% of polls provide 98% of the decisions for 83% of the reporters that take 99% of the polls by asking the 3 people standing around the water cooler at their office if they agree with whatever the subject the reporter is pushing at the moment. I just pulled every number out of my hat and I'm willing to bet that I'm not the only one.

[SbroCali]

Increased background checks is just a gateway to government denying gun licenses and guns all together. The right to "Keep and bear arms" is protected, and "Shall not be infringed!" Especially under the guise of "reform". You want to fix something, enforce the existing laws. Making more laws will not help! It's already illegal to kill! This never was about those kids, it's about control. Our president jumped on this opportunity to push his agenda. You saw how he backed off the gun issue when he was up for re-election!