Americans' Positive Perception Of NRA Soars As Obama Escalates Gun-Control Agenda
Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,
When pollsters asked people three decades ago how they felt about the National Rifle Association, 27% said they strongly supported the gun lobby. By last month, that share had grown 38%, an 11-point increase. Meanwhile, the share that didn’t side with the NRA declined.
By an 8-point, registered voters in the Journal/NBC survey last month said they were more concerned that the government would go too far in restricting gun rights than that it fail to do enough to regulate access to firearms. When adults were asked the same question in 1995, the greater fear was that access to firearms was too widespread.
In July polling, the Journal/NBC survey found that 43% of the public had a positive image of the NRA and 32% a negative one—a more favorable view than the public held of the Supreme Court or either political party. By a 15-point margin, political independents, also viewed the NRA more positively than negatively.
– From the Wall Street Journal article: Rising Support for NRA Stymies Obama
Love guns or hate guns, one thing is becoming perfectly clear. The American public’s perception of guns and the NRA is moving in the exact opposite direction of Barack Obama’s message and agenda.
To hear Obama speak, you’d think the NRA is simply using boatloads of money and propaganda to thwart the impassioned gun control desires of the American public. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. First, let’s take a look at some powerful charts from the Wall Street Journal.
As you can clearly see, the numbers regarding NRA support have virtually flipped over the past thirty years. This is also consistent with a recent ABC News poll which showed for the first time that a majority of American are against an assault weapons ban. From the post, A Majority of Americans Oppose “Assault Weapons Ban” – Highest Number on Record:
A majority of Americans oppose banning assault weapons for the first time in more than 20 years of ABC News/Washington Post polls, with the public expressing vast doubt that the authorities can prevent “lone wolf” terrorist attacks and a substantial sense that armed citizens can help.
Indeed, while the division is a close one, Americans by 47-42 percent think that encouraging more people to carry guns legally is a better response to terrorism than enacting stricter gun control laws. Divisions across groups are vast, underscoring the nation’s gulf on gun issues.
Now here’s another chart from the same Wall Street Journal article, which is even more compelling.
Although Democrats hate the NRA (the same group that supports Hillary for President despite admitting she’s untrustworthy), Independents show strong support. Why is this important? Because according to a recent Gallup poll, a record 43% of Americans identify as Independents.
From Gallup:
PRINCETON, N.J. — An average 43% of Americans identified politically as independents in 2014, establishing a new high in Gallup telephone poll trends back to 1988. In terms of national identification with the two major parties, Democrats continued to hold a modest edge over Republicans, 30% to 26%.
Since 2008, the percentage of political independents — those who identify as such before their leanings to the two major parties are taken into account — has steadily climbed from 35% to the current 43%, exceeding 40% each of the last four years. Prior to 2011, the high in independent identification was 39% in 1995 and 1999.
The recent rise in political independence has come at the expense of both parties, but more among Democrats than among Republicans. Over the last six years, Democratic identification has fallen from 36% — the highest in the last 25 years — to 30%. Meanwhile, Republican identification is down from 28% in 2008 to 26% last year.
Now here’s the chart. There’s a well defined bull market in Independent-identifying Americans:
Finally, let’s end this post with some excerpts from the Wall Street Journal article from which the previously highlighted charts were pulled:
When pollsters asked people three decades ago how they felt about the National Rifle Association, 27% said they strongly supported the gun lobby. By last month, that share had grown 38%, an 11-point increase. Meanwhile, the share that didn’t side with the NRA declined.
That is just one measure of the challenge that has forced President Barack Obama to sidestep Congress and put in place new gun regulations through executive action. Mr. Obama knows through hard experience that lawmakers have little appetite for passing tougher gun laws. Polling shows that skepticism is rooted among the broader public, as well.
So there you go. King Obama sees political trends he doesn’t like, knows that Congress can’t do anything about it because the public doesn’t want it to, so he does it by himself by executive decree.
As I noted on Twitter the other day:
Yeah, then this will flip once Trump is elected, and Obama supporters will suddenly discover the Constitution: pic.twitter.com/O6x0U8cA0B
— Michael Krieger (@LibertyBlitz) January 6, 2016
Now back to the WSJ:
By an 8-point, registered voters in the Journal/NBC survey last month said they were more concerned that the government would go too far in restricting gun rights than that it fail to do enough to regulate access to firearms. When adults were asked the same question in 1995, the greater fear was that access to firearms was too widespread.
But as Mr. Obama seeks any small patch of common ground, one of the most powerful forces he must deal with is skepticism of any new laws—even the widely backed expansion of background checks. A majority in Gallup polling said background checks would have little or no effect in reducing mass shootings. And a majority believed the country would be safer if more people carried concealed weapons—a finding in tune with the NRA’s contention that “the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.’’
While support for the NRA skews Republican, it is not exclusively Republican. Some 41% of political independents rate themselves as highly supportive of the gun lobby, more than twice the share that doesn’t support the group, December’s Wall Street Journal/NBC News survey found.
In July polling, the Journal/NBC survey found that 43% of the public had a positive image of the NRA and 32% a negative one—a more favorable view than the public held of the Supreme Court or either political party. By a 15-point margin, political independents, also viewed the NRA more positively than negatively.
“The gun lobby may be holding Congress hostage right now, but they cannot hold America hostage,’’ Mr. Obama said in announcing his new gun regulations. But in going up against the NRA, he is working against a force that is not only powerful but popular among many in the country.
Substitute “the American public” for “the gun lobby,” and you’ll find out what’s really irking King Barry.
(26 votes)
»
- Login or register to post comments
- Printer-friendly version
- Send to friend
- advertisements -
I liked that line too. They will probably rediscover their dislike for endless warfare if a republican wins. Bush was a nazi, but hardly a peep out of them when Obama does the same and worse. They will no doubt rediscover the illegality of these drone strikes under US and international law if it's anyone other than killery doing it.
It could be worse or better (depending on your viewpoint) but you could be living in Russia......
http://beforeitsnews.com/healthcare/2016/01/crazy-russian-doctor-kills-p...
I am down in Las Vegas at the Consumer Electronics show and their is a lot of talk about TRUMP vs Hillary....and this gun debate. The feeling I get is this....after talking with many many people. They don't like Trump because they can not wrap their head around the fact that "HE" is not the one making "ALL" the decisions when he is in office. Many people visiting the show here in Vegas like what he has to say on many issues but they are saying he gives no plan to get things done. It is interesting. So to make a really long story short, it looks to me like many don't like TRUMP...but EVERYONE HATES Hillary to the core. So....when it comes to the choice, even with Democrats...head to head..Trump has it. Then many of us down here in Vegas watched the Obama meeting on CNN, and everyone...that is 100% agrees that his attempt at creating further gun laws will do nothing, and is an over reach. It is a great at this show to talk to many from around the nation...and the TALK of the SHOW is this. The manned DRONE...talk about cool. You get in it...select your landing port...and away you go. This thing is soooo cool especially seeing it first hand. Have a great day....and get the popcorn ready for SUNDAY night you bitchez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcYkOq0hnBM
Very interesting report, thanks for passing it along.
Talking with Americans from other parts of the country often yields interesting tidbits of knowledge. When I travel, I too try to engage, in a friendly way, with people to better understand more our country.
You understand Trump was for the assault weapons ban..
Trump is in the Israeli-Neocon camp, added one of their advisors immediately after Adelson said Trump was a good guy. That was immediately after Trump made his "1000s of dancing Muslims" comments, which incident was actually "dancing Mossad agents".
Trump is no solutin to America's problems. That solution is replacing this political system. No person currently in politics is clean enough to be trusted with anything.
The CIA-military is the major heroin distributor for the world. Israeli-Neocons control the majority of our government. AIPAC owns Congress. 9/11 was a False Flag operation by the Israeli-Neocons.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yP1MtaSIePk
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGdialRMdjU
And here we all sit, paralyzed.
I am a member of NRA but GOA (Gun Owners of America) http://www.gunowners.org/ is a better organization in my opinion. They really don't compromise with legislators like I've seen NRA do. I recommend anyone interested to join this organization (or both) in order to lend support to the folks who are in the face of these asshats trying to restrict our right to own firearms.
Yeah - I wonder how many folks "dissatisfaction" with the NRA is because they don't go far enough. Every time I see a picture of a S&W revolver with a lock I just shake my head. . .
That's my dissatisfaction with them, 100%. That is why I haven't joined or given them any money. They do not go far enough, and have caved far too many times in the past for me to trust them. I get stuff in the mail from them, no idea why, but I haven't ever sent them any money or signed up for the very reason you listed.
I would be very curious to see how many are dissatisfied for that reason. You see articles posted periodically on leftist rags like salon et al allegedly written by a former gun owner/NRA member who has left because he was a "reasonable" gun owner and the NRA has become an "extremist" organization, but id be really curious to see how many people have either left or refuse to join for the opposite reason.
@greens: I'm one
That's why I stopped giving them money. It's gotten so bad that I am suspicious of them.
I agree. The NRA is not 2nd Amendment hardcore enough for me. I used to be an NRA member but let my membership lapse as they were too compromising with 2nd Amendment rightts for me.
YO tambien, mon ami!!
I was a 5 year member, but got sick of them backing down. The NRA seems to have stepped back more than they've pushed forward.
It has always been my opinion that 911 represented a 2nd Amendment failure. Had there been armed citizens aboard those planes, boxcutters would've been of little concern.
And the world would neve have experienced socially, above all economically and civically what we've since experienced.
the neutralization of that one impediment that one day did change the world, demonstrating the importance of the 2nd amendment of Americans for the rest of the world.
Boxcutters? Seriously?
hey Doc, those planes didn't matter. those buildings were BLOWN!! Thermite through and through.
If Obama isn't interested in taking our guns, perhaps he can dispel this vast conspiracy by vowing to VETO H.R.4269 - Assault Weapons Ban of 2015 if it arrives on his desk. In fact, I'd like to hear him say that any bill that arrives on his desk that limits 2A rights is (using his rhetoric) DOA. https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/4269/text
bet this has more than a little to do with the whole mess as well
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20151215/06470133083/congress-drops-al...
The sad part of this is that the NRA is just an arm of the Republican party and is far from as activist or absolutist on the 2nd Amendment as Gun Owners of America and Second Amendement Foundation.
Watched the Obummer/Gun townhall. Wished someone would have countered his assertion that the NRA was only a lobby for the gun manufacturers. That was a pure evil lie and NOBODY called him on it. The strength of the NRA is citizen support and they need to do A LOT more to let everyone know.
There may be hope for America yet
Dana's in the house...and she doesn't look real happy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ag_LjM3x_oQ
If you're an Obama-bot you'd better not watch that....your head might literally explode.
If Trump plays his cards right he can be the next president. I am a natural pessimist so part of me is preparing my life for Billary x 8 which I imagine will be like living in a conquered and occupied country. No one knows what a Trump presidency would bring but I know it cannot but be an improvement on that scenario. We still ave time to get ready. Go Donald and go NRA.
Were all previous revolutions predicted?
The seeds of every revolution were planted in the previous one.
Violence begets violence begets violence begets...
That's because those who would impose tyranny keep coming back. And we have to deal with it.
"No one knows what a Trump presidency would bring but I know it cannot but be an improvement on that scenario."
The only way this statement could be true is if the current situation is the worst it could be.
You bring up a good point. I am not a Trump fan. There are a couple others I like better than him. However, I realize what he seems to represent. He represents breaking the current system. He is a true outsider. He knows how the sausage is made by contributors. He is self made and independent and he loves breaking the PC rules of speech. What's not to love in that?
I was a Perot supporter long ago for similar reasons. Perot was no-nonsense and an outsider.
Your point about improvement is the key. No one can know what the Donald will do. I suggest Trump himself does not even know, yet. However, most will take the gamble it is better than what exists, now.
For the record, I prefer Cruz and Rand Paul, but I will vote for Trump versus Hillary if that's the choice.
I will throw in a curve, also and say that I think Hillary has a good chance of dropping out of the race. That would leave Bernie or a wild card candidate.
Yes, keep voting for the lesser of two evils. That'll show 'em.....
Do yourself and your country a favor and don't fall for the false dichotomy. You only get to vote for who they want you to vote for. The best thing to do is DON'T VOTE. Don't validate a corrupt system with your vote.
When a candidate with a proven track record of doing what he says states openly that he will absolutely follow the constitution, pardon Edward Snowden, get our military totally out of the Middle East, stop sending any more tax dollars to ANYONE in the Middle East and eliminate our role in NATO until there is a REAL threat...then I will vote again in the presidential election.
I will vote for my 18 year old senile half blind and completely deaf Chihuahua before I vote for Hitlary.
@Hongcha
No one knows what a Trump presidency will bring but I'm certain what a Clinton presidency will bring. So on this one, I'll take an unknown over a certainty any day.
What part of "shall not be infringed" does His Royal Highness not understand?
He understands, he simply does not give a fuck about your rights. His extremist marxist ideology dictates that your rights must be destroyed to advance his enlightened agenda.
There are many keys to the intentions of the Founders regarding our Natural Rights - The first example is found in the Declaration of Independence - "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights..." Clear evidence that Rights DO NOT come from Government.
The next key is found in the Constitution in Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 - [The Congress shall have Power] "To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;" Letters of Marque and Reprisal wouldn't be issued to farmers with pitch forks, they would be issued to privateers. The Founders had no issue with privately owned, state of the art weapons. Even today we have private armies such as KBR and Academi (Blackwater).
The next key is in the Preamble to the Bill of Rights, (which seems to have been conveniently redacted from most printings) which states - "THE Conventions of a number of the States having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best insure the beneficent ends of its institution..."
Now, unless a person has been intentionally taught wrong, there should be no mistaking the intent of the Founders.
Thank you very much for packing so much good info into one post. +1,000!
NRA Defined
Obama: No Right (to) Arms
Us: N*gger Re-writing Amendments
Which part of "words on paper" do you not understand?
The idea that any written document can restrain power is what creates the opportunity for power to emerge that rules over us all.
I do not consent to be ruled by the world's most powerful psychopaths, and neither should you.
It is not the paper that matters, but the ideas behind it.
What part of "shall not be infringed" does the NRA not understand. 'Compromise' is one of their favorite words. I switched to GOA (Gun Owners of America) a while back.
What? I don't give 2 cents to a dollar what Americans think about gun control.
I think I understand what you're saying. You'll keep your gun(s) irrespective of what some Americans might say.
So I Guess the " Jackbooted Thugs " Blowback is Over
The "town hall" thing on ZNN the other night was some real slick talking propaganda.
Every single word of it was staged.
slightly off-topic alert
Greg Walden addresses U.S. House on situation in Harney County, OR, federal overreach in the Westhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bx4ocLdWE90
24 minutes long, but well worth the watch.
America is fucked if Trump does not win the presidential nomination.. What I am worried is the Elites might scam the voting process and give it to Hillary? It has happen before Gore/bush if happens what do Americans and me do?
trump doesn't have a chance. fox has already picked rubio. sorry.
At my peril, buzz, I disagree. I think Trump locks it up barring a scandal.
YOU'VE been right before though, so I'll be ready to be wrong again. Though I certainly would rather have Trump.
i only wish i were joking
I agree with you Buzzsaw99 Fox and the rest of media especially George Soros does support and fund hillary or other Republicans like Rubio GOP loves him BUT the people like Trump!