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.


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[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 :smile:

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 :smile:

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? :wink: I too own a M44. A 1944 M44 to be exact.

 

[longslide10]

Democrats do own guns :smile:

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. (Or maybe thirty .91 caliber rounds!)

 

[sixgun_symphony]

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.)

Arms = Weapons.

Simple fact is that citizens have a right to weapons. It's a right to using lethal force for defense of self and community.

The 2nd Amendment is not about hunting, it's not about sport.

 

[Phillip Gain]

Arms = Weapons.

Simple fact is that citizens have a right to weapons. It's a right to using lethal force for defense of self and community.

The 2nd Amendment is not about hunting, it's not about sport.

I'm a veteran. You damn well do not need to explain the Second Amendment to ME.

Studies have shown that people PERCEIVE the word "weapon" to be ominous and threatening...where by contrast, they PERCEIVE words like "firearms," "handguns," etc to be LESS ominous. EVEN THOUGH THE WORDS MEAN THE SAME THING.

If people are intimidated by something...they will naturally shy away from it.

If people shy away from something, they will not understand it.

If people don't understand something, they will be afraid of it.

If people are afraid of it...they will vote in support of laws against it.

The anti-gun strategy is to gut the Second Amendment by generating a fear of firearms in otherwise reasonable persons, then using this fear to get these frightened people to vote for an avalanche of laws that will ultimately gut the Second Amendment.

As gun owners...it is in our best interest to quell fear with reason, and to explain to truth to people.

So instead of saying "automatic" say "semi-automatic" and explain the difference.

So instead of saying "weapon" say "firearm," "handgun," "rifle," or whatever. These terms are more specific anyway.

 

[CapGun]

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.

Jimmy Durante >>> a lovable character and singer. Honestly, how many here never heard of him or didn't know who he was or ever saw any of his movies? The older "baby-boomers" know.

 

[CapGun]

PHILLY G >>>>>cogent explanation! Well said!

 

[CapGun]

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

Exactly the question I wanted to ask! Most "antis" are just one violent assault from epiphany!
Hope that wasn't yours. Do tell.