Colorado Poll: Gun Control Politically Dangerous for Democrats
A new poll measuring public opinion of gun
control measures being considered in Colorado finds the issue could be
politically dangerous for Democrats. And most don’t think “sweeping gun
control measures will make them any safer,” according to the pollster.
“[W]hile
opinions on this issue fall predictably along party and ideological
lines, there are some political perils that Democratic leaders should be
cognizant of,” writes pollster Rob Autry, of Public Opinion Strategies,
in a memo detailing the poll’s findings.
“Democratic legislators also have to be
mindful that even members of their own partisan coalition are conflicted
about this proposed legislation. While only 8% of Democrats oppose all
of the gun control measures we tested, 70% of Democratic voters oppose
one or some combination of the proposals (either the comprehensive
package, the background checks, the liability claim, or the
high-capacity magazine ban).”
“These poll numbers prove that Governor
Hickenlooper and the Democrats are listening to Bloomberg and Biden
instead of Coloradans,” comments state senator Greg Brophy, responding
to the poll, in an email to me.
As for Republicans, Autry writes, “Not
surprisingly, Republican voters in the state overwhelmingly oppose the
comprehensive package (62% say it’s the wrong approach and another 26%
say it goes too far), oppose holding manufacturers and sellers legally
liable (94% oppose), and oppose the high-capacity magazine ban (85%
agree with opponents). For the most part, the highly politically prized
Independent voting bloc also opposes the key gun control measures we
tested in this survey. Fully 69% oppose passing the comprehensive
legislation (33% oppose outright, 36% think it goes too far), 84% oppose
holding manufacturers and sellers liable, and 55% oppose the
high-capacity magazine ban when presented with both sides. The one area
of exception is the proposal to require gun buyers to pay the cost for a
background check (51% of Republicans and 69% of Independent favor it).
But, on the whole, Independents are more inclined to agree with
Republicans (and gun owners), than with Democrats (and anti-NRA
allies).”
The fact of the matter is, Autry writes,
most Coloradans don’t think the legislation will make them “safer.”
“Importantly, Colorado voters do not believe these sweeping gun control
measures will make them any safer. Two out three Coloradans (65%) say
these new gun control laws won’t reduce crime or make the state any
safer, while just a third say they will (32%).”
And there “very well could be political
repercussions for supporting this legislation, as well. Nearly half
(48%) of voters say they would be less likely to vote for their State
Senator in the next election if he or she supports these gun control
bills (40% more likely). There is strong intensity behind this as well –
thirty-seven percent (37%) of voters overall say they would be much
less likely to vote for him or her.”
Instead of gun control, the poll
finds that Coloradans want the politicians to be focused on the economy.
“Colorado voters want to see the Governor and State Legislature focus
on the economy and jobs, first and foremost. When asked to identify the
top legislative priorities for the current year, economic issues top
the list (52%), followed by improving public education (40%), and
balancing the state budget (27%). Passing gun control legislation ranks
sixth out of the nine issues tested – with only 14% saying the issue is
something they want the Governor and legislature to focus on this
year,” writes the pollster.
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