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May 2, 2009

Poll: Gun Rights Pulls Almost even with Gun Control

Monique Chartier

NewsBuster's Noel Sheppard points to the results of a Pew Research survey released Thursday.

For the first time in a Pew Research survey, nearly as many people believe it is more important to protect the right of Americans to own guns (45%) than to control gun ownership (49%). As recently as a year ago, 58% said it was more important to control gun ownership while 37% said it was more important to protect the right to own guns.

My own unofficial survey, gathered from unsolicited - "Did you hear ...?!" - remarks among friends and work associates during the last four months, attributes this shift directly to the various proposals by candidate/President Obama and members of his administration to constrict legal gun ownership, including the suggestion (rumor?) that bullets should be stamped with serial numbers. That last would be a form of sneaky, indirect gun control as it would apparently make bullets exhorbitantly expensive.

Wide-spread perpetuation by gun-control advocates in Congress and the media of the flat-out false "90% of all guns in Mexico came from the U.S." story - only 17% did so - did nothing to assuage the concerns of supporters of the Second Amendment. While I have never been particularly interested in the Second Amendment, I can understand their concern, especially on that last point. It is unacceptable that public policy be formulated or public opinion manipulated on the basis of a gross fib.

Comments

With that Obama making such stupid statements like taxing the 'dirty, eco-unfriendly' coal industry out of existence during his campaign run, it's no wonder not to believe that he will find a roundabout way to make owning a gun prohibitively expensive.

2012, I cannot wait.

Posted by: Roland at May 3, 2009 1:47 AM

I am always amazed how gun grabbing scumbags like Schumer and feinstein have concealed carry permits.
The states with the least restrictive gun laws have the least violent crime.
How can the social engineers explain that?
Gun control has never been about guns,per se.It is about the NY and LA brunch crowd trying to impose their will on ordinary Americans.
Vermont has no gun laws and almost no violent crime.Maybe the tone of society is different there-I wouldn't know for sure.
I am sure the Ben and Jerry's clones pouring into Vermont from NY will try to change that.
Gun control is really people control.The leftists are nervous about people who despise them having guns.
Disarming America,which is Obama's dream(along with many others)would be a very,very bad idea.I think a blood bath would result.
Ever hear the saying about not wishing for something because you might get it?Very apropos here.
The leftist social engineering a**holes can never seem to learn to leave well enough alone.
This issue to me eclipses immigration.
It is interesting that many of those who rant for ignoring immigration status also want to micromanage gun owners.F**king hypocrites.

Posted by: joe bernstein at May 3, 2009 10:41 AM

If only the impulse to pull out a weapon was matched with the control to not use it there may not be the need to impose control from government.

Posted by: Phil at May 4, 2009 6:41 AM

--I am always amazed how gun grabbing scumbags like Schumer and feinstein have concealed carry permits.

Nothing new with socialists - Orwell's Animal Farm - "some animals are more equal than others."

Just like Obama's cabinet doesn't have to comply with income tax laws.

"Some animals are more equal than others."

Posted by: Ragin' Rhode Islander at May 4, 2009 9:08 AM

Phil-it would be nice if you knew what you were talking about.Legally owned weapons are not the ones primarily used in homicides.Maybe in suicides,but that is not a crime issue,nor can it necessarily be prevented.
I have no problem with laws that punish people who are prohibited from owning firearms if they are found in possession or use of a firearm(convicted felons,illegal aliens,mentally incompetent,and minors),but imagine the sob sisters wail over some poor illegal alien caught with a firearm-I apprehended a whole lot of such people and very few were prosecuted.
I personally was involved in hands on law enforcement for 26 years and never shot anyone,although I found myself in numerous situations where it would have been legally justified.I only regretted my course of action once,when the offender murdered again after his release.I had not shot him because of many children playing onn the street when he tried to run me over,so if you haven't been in my shoes,don't preach to me.
I stand by my assertion that most gun control laws are promulgated by social engineering liberals who have the Obama-like disdain for what they consider the "ordinary" people clinging to guns and religion.
No,let's cling to internationalism and deprecatory comments about one's own nation.
Obama can't put the toothpaste back in the tube on that remark,ever.
It's interesting that when gangbangers get caught with guns,these same social engineers want "constructive"sentencing.
They think they're immune to random violence in their ivory tower world.
So far,since I don't hunt,the "victims" of my firearms have beeen paper targets and occasionally bowling pins and metal plates.
Why don't you ever acknowledge the double standard on firearms ownership exemplified by Whitehouse,Kerry,Feinstein,and Schumer?

Posted by: joe bernstein at May 4, 2009 10:35 AM

To whoever deleted my comments to joebernstein this morning you are a bigger coward than the one who pulled the trigger last May in Cranston.

Posted by: Phil at May 5, 2009 10:26 PM

I can't understand why your comments were deleted.
I'd like to hear what you have to say,although I am sure it is critical.

Posted by: joe bernstein at May 5, 2009 11:23 PM

Joe

The Government ( includes me and you Joe) has a role to play in protecting the rights of gun owners and the right of the rest of us who wish not to get shot. Would good does a long prison sentence do the family of someone shot by a irresponsible gun owner. That was the case last year at this time when my friend was shot and killed by his neighbor. The subject of my earlier comments was meant to express the idea that those who want to own and use guns do so responsibly.
I do not at present own or use a gun. I have hunted in the past and have used guns to kill the animals that I raised for food. I used it as one would use a tool.
I don't care to comment about politicans who as powerful people live under their own set of rules. The ones you mention are opposed by others who are in the pockets of the powerful lobbyists of the NRA.
AS a former law enforcement member you would had to train in the use of guns. Can you not see the need for some training and licensing when it comes gun ownership something that the NRA might have helped craft into law rather than their continued intransigence.

Posted by: Phil at May 6, 2009 10:24 AM

I don't disagree with you.
I believe the safety test requirement for buying a handgun in RI is reasonable.
Gianquitti was obviously trained in the use of firearms.The fact that he had a carry permit was irrelevant insofar as the shooting started in or about his home.Anyone not prohibited from possessing firearms can have a handgun in their home or business.
A serious qualification course should be required for anyone carrying a handgun in public.
I had to qualify four times a year on my job.
I had to qualify every time my state permit was renewed,and I have to qualify YEARLY to maintain my HR218 permit,which allows me to carry anywhere in the US as a retired LEO.
It's a serious responsibility.
I know Gianquitti murdered Mr. Pagano with a legally owned weapon,but that was atypical.
Same with the Foster police officer(Sabetta) who murdered three young men some years ago.
The vast majority of murders wiith firearms are committed by people who (a)couldn't legally own a firearm(b)didn't buy it through legitimate channels.
Interestingly,I was assigned to Providence PD when Gianquitti was there-I cannot recall him.I know a cop who was in his class who can't remember anything about him either.He seems to have been an antisocial person.
I have a neighbor who my daughter had a legal dispute with over a contracting job and she prevailed-we don't speak to or acknowledge each other,but I can't imagine it going beyond that.That's the way most people handle things.There will always be some people who can't act sanely.Life is dangerous sometimes and much more so from accident,disease,etc than from someone misusing a firearm.
I don't have to just accept that "special"folks like Whitehouse live in a different world.he puts his pants on one leg at a time.I will continue to point out the hypocrisy of the privileged.
In closing,as an NRA member,I would remind you that the NRA is the largest source for instruction in the safe use of firearms,and the developement of shooting skills in a safe manner.
It's easy enough to check out.

Posted by: joe bernstein at May 6, 2009 11:20 AM