Angus Reid Public Opinion Poll On Firearms

[longslide10]

Most people in the United States agree on the meaning of the Second Amendment, and half endorse the “shall-issue” prerogative to carry concealed weapons in public, a new Angus Reid Public Opinion poll has found.

I think we as Americans need to work on the issue about semi-automatics though. It seems people may have them confused with fully automatic or military arms. Kind of like the media exploited "assault weapon" term.


http://www.angus-reid.com/wp-content...5_Guns_USA.pdf

[CharonPDX]

That survey is a little worrying. 61% say only police/military should have "semi-automatic" weapons? Since 72/73% said the general public should have access to handguns and rifles/shotguns, I think that 61% is really 27/28% against owning ANY weapon, and 33/34% who don't know what "semi-automatic" really means.

Also, note: 80% of Democrats believe that the second Amendment means what it means. (Although, strangely, 4% of gun owners think it doesn't guarantee the right to own weapons! WTF?!?)

And Constitutional Carry has equal support among Democrats and Republicans. 6% of each.

[50SR9]

Well, the term itself is self explanatory. Semi being the operative word, but to you and I and others like us, it is plain as the nose on Jimmy Durante's face. I agree that more information about the difference between semi and full auto needs to be more in the public. What platform to use is the question.

[BassNut]

I agree that most in the poll do not know the difference between "semi" and "full" when asked about automatics.

[Elspeth]

That survey is a little worrying. 61% say only police/military should have "semi-automatic" weapons? Since 72/73% said the general public should have access to handguns and rifles/shotguns, I think that 61% is really 27/28% against owning ANY weapon, and 33/34% who don't know what "semi-automatic" really means.

Also, note: 80% of Democrats believe that the second Amendment means what it means. (Although, strangely, 4% of gun owners think it doesn't guarantee the right to own weapons! WTF?!?)

And Constitutional Carry has equal support among Democrats and Republicans. 6% of each.

Democrats do own guns

As a former anti, I can tell you a good deal of the fuss about semi-auto is definitely due to not understanding the difference. You hear the word "automatic" - that's all, "semi" doesn't even register. It's all about the words - I've told liberal friends I have a Russian WWII M44 combat rifle, and they think I have a machine gun, not a 5-shot bolt-action Mosin.

[Phillip Gain]

Well, the term itself is self explanatory. Semi being the operative word, but to you and I and others like us, it is plain as the nose on Jimmy Durante's face. I agree that more information about the difference between semi and full auto needs to be more in the public. What platform to use is the question.

Firstly - I want to advocate USING the term "semi-automatic," especially when talking to those who are not knowledgeable about guns. Too many of us refer to them as "automatics" or "autos."

Another thing I watch when talking to these folks is NOT EVER EVER use the word "weapon." I especially don't use it in my classes. Instead, I substitute "pistol," "firearm," or "handgun." The word "weapon" has been shown to have a much more ominous and threatening connotation than the other words. (It's a hard habit to break after my Army Reserve days.)

It's all about being nice, winning hearts and minds. :)

[S&W645]

Democrats do own guns

As a former anti, I can tell you a good deal of the fuss about semi-auto is definitely due to not understanding the difference. You hear the word "automatic" - that's all, "semi" doesn't even register. It's all about the words - I've told liberal friends I have a Russian WWII M44 combat rifle, and they think I have a machine gun, not a 5-shot bolt-action Mosin.

Would those same people think that a 91/30 is able to hold 30 rounds or 91? I too own a M44. A 1944 M44 to be exact.

[longslide10]

Democrats do own guns

As a former anti,

So I am curious Elspeth, what caused your change of attitude on firearms? Was it a friend with one or did you discover them on your own out of need for one or was it a simple desire to see what all the hoopla was about? I congratulate you on your decision to support your 2a rights

[jwalker3181]

Sad to say that they probably would think it holds 91 or 30 rounds

[CharonPDX]

Ninety-one .30 caliber rounds, most likely. :-P (Or maybe thirty .91 caliber rounds!)