Support for Stricter Gun Laws Spikes After Tucson Rampage

[villager]

Source: TPM

CBS Poll: Support For Stricter Gun Laws Spikes After Tucson Rampage

The number of Americans who favor stricter gun laws has spiked significantly in the wake of the weekend shooting spree that killed six and left Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ) in critical condition, reversing a long-running trend of declining support for more stringent gun control, according to a new CBS poll.

In the poll, 47% of respondents said gun laws should be made tougher, while 36% said they should remain unchanged, and just 12% said they should be relaxed. While that means a slim plurality (48%) are opposed to strengthening gun laws, that opposition has dropped 10 points since CBS last polled the question less than one year ago.

In April 2010, CBS pegged total opposition to stricter gun laws at 58%, with 42% saying gun control was fine as is, and 16% saying that laws should be scaled back. And 40% supported tougher gun laws -- a number that's now risen to 47%.

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Read more: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/01/cbs-poll-support-for-stricter-gun-laws-spikes-after-tucson-rampage.php

[bossy22]

1. i wouldnt call that a big spike

and i don't remember them ever putting support for gun control as low as 40%. Most of the polls over the last year have pegged support at about 48%-44%.

[damntexdem]

10. Not big enough yet.

Let's hope that the American people come to their senses and begin to overwhelmingly support stricter gun laws.

[fascisthunter]

2. all the gun hobbyists are unreccing like crazy`

somebody use a dog whistle or what? Lol.... DU, where guns are promoted.

[Zoeisright]

3. [phone]

Your dog whistle analogy is very apt.

[elocs]

4. Uh-oh. The gungeon won't like that, but fortunately their numbers are small here.

The Recs will go positive.

[DavidDvorkin]

6. They make a lot of noise for a small group.

[xchrom]

5. Recommend

[DavidDvorkin]

7. Is there a faint chance that America will grow up and become sensible, after all?

I remain skeptical.

[Kingofalldems]

8. Here they come--

It's settled law!! You're trying to take my guns away!

[Possumpoint]

9. Hell No!

Leave the gun laws alone. Tighten up the mental health reporting requirements.

[RamboLiberal]

11. But only 36% think stricter laws would've made a difference

in the same poll. While 58% say it would make no difference.

[NickB79]

12. Ok then, what gun laws specifically would they like made tighter?

And would any of them had made a difference in Gifford's shooting?

Vague, unspecified questions like this are the bread and butter of pollsters, to the detriment of us all.