April 4, 2013 - Background Checks Could Lead To Gun Confiscation, Many Voters Tell Quinnipiac University National Poll; But 91 Percent Want Universal Gun Checks Word format PDF format American voters say 48 - 38 percent that the government could use the information from universal background checks to confiscate legally-owned guns, but voters still support universal gun background checks 91 - 8 percent, including 88 - 11 percent among voters in households with guns, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Gun owners believe 53 - 34 percent that universal background checks could lead to confiscation of legal guns, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds. Support for same-sex marriage has reached a 50 percent milestone, with American voters in favor 50 - 41 percent, compared to 47 - 43 percent in a March 8 Quinnipiac University survey and a dramatic shift in public attitudes on the subject from July, 2008, when voters opposed such unions 55 - 36 percent. Voters say 56 - 36 percent that the legality of same-sex marriage should be based on the U.S. Constitution rather than on laws in each state. American voters are strongly opposed, 70 - 28 percent, to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to limit the size of sugary soft drinks to 16 ounces. Voters do support 59 - 39 percent Bloomberg's idea to require stores to keep cigarettes out of public sight to discourage smoking by young people. "In every Quinnipiac University poll since the Newtown massacre, nationally and in six states, we find overwhelming support, including among gun owners, for universal background checks," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "American voters agree with the National Rifle Association, however, that these background checks could lead someday to confiscation of legally-owned guns." "The question is how many of these voters fear confiscation as an abuse of government power and how many are hoping the government uses confiscation to get more guns off the street," Brown added. Expecting gun confiscation are Republicans 61 - 25 percent and independent voters 51 - 36 percent, while Democrats say 54 - 32 percent there will not be confiscation. Men say confiscation is likely 52 - 37 percent and women agree 45 - 38 percent. Health Care Reform Americans voters disapprove 46 - 41 percent of "ObamaCare," the 2010 health care reform act, and say 37 - 15 percent the health care law will hurt rather than help them personally. Another 41 percent say the law won't affect them. Increasing the number of people in their state eligible for Medicaid is a good idea, voters say 48 - 41 percent. Democrats say good idea 71 - 19 percent while Republicans say bad idea 65 - 24 percent, with independent voters divided 45 - 44 percent. Immigration Illegal immigrants should be allowed to stay in the U.S. and eventually apply for citizenship, 59 percent of voters say, while 11 percent say they should be allowed to stay, but not apply for citizenship, and 25 percent say they should be required to leave the U.S. Opposition to Bloomberg's proposed "Big Gulp Ban" is strong among all groups, except Hispanic voters who are divided 48 - 50 percent. Support for the hidden cigarette proposal is small among some groups, but no group is opposed. There is a large gender gap as men are divided, with 50 percent in favor and 47 percent opposed, while women support it 66 - 32 percent. Voters 18 to 34 years old support the idea 70 - 28 percent with support dropping to 57 - 41 percent among voters over 55 years old. "Mayor Michael Bloomberg gets one win and one big loss in his latest public health initiatives," said Brown. From March 26 - April 1, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,711 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.4 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones. The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and the nation as a public service and for research. For more information or RSS feed, visit http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling, call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 21. Do you support or oppose - stricter gun control laws in the United States? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 53% 29% 78% 52% 45% 61% 48% 78% 65% Oppose 42 67 19 44 51 35 47 19 30 DK/NA 4 4 3 5 4 5 4 3 5 REGION................... DENSITY............ HAVE KIDS.. NEast MWest South West Urban Suburb Rural <18InPubSch Support 58% 51% 51% 55% 59% 56% 42% 51% 52% Oppose 37 46 44 41 37 39 55 43 42 DK/NA 5 3 5 4 4 5 3 6 6 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Gun Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ HsHld Support 60% 50% 54% 50% 60% 49% 53% 57% 35% Oppose 36 45 42 46 36 48 43 38 61 DK/NA 4 4 4 4 3 3 4 5 3 TREND: Do you support or oppose stricter gun control laws in the United States? Apr 04 Mar 07 Feb 07 Jul 17 2013 2013 2013 2008 Support 53 51 52 54 Oppose 42 42 43 40 DK/NA 4 7 5 5 22. Do you support or oppose - a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 59% 41% 79% 56% 47% 70% 56% 78% 61% Oppose 36 55 15 41 50 24 40 17 29 DK/NA 4 4 6 3 2 6 3 5 10 REGION................... DENSITY............ HAVE KIDS.. NEast MWest South West Urban Suburb Rural <18InPubSch Support 64% 56% 60% 58% 62% 63% 52% 57% 54% Oppose 31 42 36 36 34 32 44 37 39 DK/NA 5 2 4 7 4 5 4 6 7 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Gun Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ HsHld Support 65% 57% 62% 55% 61% 56% 57% 64% 46% Oppose 32 38 34 40 37 38 40 32 50 DK/NA 3 5 4 4 2 5 3 4 4 TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Apr 04 Mar 07 Feb 07 2013 2013 2013 Support 59 54 56 Oppose 36 41 39 DK/NA 4 6 5 23. Do you support or oppose - a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 58% 40% 78% 55% 48% 67% 56% 73% 55% Oppose 38 55 18 42 48 28 39 24 38 DK/NA 4 5 4 3 3 5 4 3 7 REGION................... DENSITY............ HAVE KIDS.. NEast MWest South West Urban Suburb Rural <18InPubSch Support 60% 55% 59% 58% 61% 62% 49% 57% 57% Oppose 34 40 38 38 35 33 47 39 40 DK/NA 6 5 3 4 4 5 4 4 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Gun Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ HsHld Support 66% 54% 59% 58% 62% 52% 58% 62% 46% Oppose 31 41 37 39 35 46 37 33 51 DK/NA 3 5 4 3 3 2 4 5 3 TREND: Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of high-capacity ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 bullets? Apr 04 Mar 07 Feb 07 2013 2013 2013 Support 58 54 56 Oppose 38 42 40 DK/NA 4 5 4 24. Do you support or oppose - requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 91% 88% 96% 90% 88% 94% 91% 94% 90% Oppose 8 10 4 9 12 5 8 5 5 DK/NA 1 2 - 1 1 2 1 1 5 REGION................... DENSITY............ HAVE KIDS.. NEast MWest South West Urban Suburb Rural <18InPubSch Support 92% 91% 90% 91% 92% 93% 88% 91% 89% Oppose 7 8 8 8 7 6 11 8 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Gun Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ HsHld Support 92% 91% 92% 90% 91% 95% 92% 88% 88% Oppose 7 8 7 10 8 5 8 9 11 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 - - 2 1 TREND: Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Apr 04 Mar 07 Feb 07 2013 2013 2013 Support 91 88 92 Oppose 8 10 7 DK/NA 1 2 1 25. Do you believe that if there are background checks for all gun purchases the government will or will not use that information in the future to confiscate legally-owned guns? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Confiscate 48% 61% 32% 51% 52% 45% 47% 42% 55% Will not 38 25 54 36 37 38 39 43 28 DK/NA 14 15 14 13 11 17 14 15 17 REGION................... DENSITY............ HAVE KIDS.. NEast MWest South West Urban Suburb Rural <18InPubSch Confiscate 47% 46% 52% 44% 45% 46% 55% 49% 44% Will not 38 37 37 40 41 40 31 40 42 DK/NA 14 17 11 16 14 14 14 12 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Gun Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ HsHld Confiscate 36% 53% 52% 48% 39% 58% 47% 43% 53% Will not 52 31 34 39 52 33 40 41 34 DK/NA 11 15 14 13 9 9 13 16 13 26. In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 50% 24% 69% 52% 47% 52% 51% 43% 50% Oppose 41 66 24 39 43 40 41 48 41 DK/NA 9 10 7 9 10 8 8 9 9 WHITE.............................................. Q28Gay COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Fam Or Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Friend Support 58% 47% 36% 55% 47% 54% 24% 54% 57% Oppose 34 45 55 38 43 39 70 37 34 DK/NA 8 8 9 6 10 6 6 9 9 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 58% 46% 48% 50% 60% 69% 50% 38% Oppose 33 45 44 41 33 28 41 51 DK/NA 9 9 8 9 7 2 10 11 TREND: In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Apr 04 Mar 08 Dec 05 Jul 17 2013 2013 2012 2008 Support 50 47 48 36 Oppose 41 43 46 55 DK/NA 9 10 7 9 27. Do you think each state should make its own law on whether same-sex marriage is legal or illegal there, or do you think this should be decided for all states on the basis of the U.S. Constitution? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp States laws 36% 49% 27% 38% 40% 34% 39% 36% 26% Constitution 56 45 67 56 52 60 55 56 60 DK/NA 7 6 6 7 8 7 6 9 14 WHITE.............................................. Q28Gay COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Fam Or Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Friend States laws 42% 37% 43% 40% 43% 35% 47% 40% 36% Constitution 53 57 50 55 49 61 48 53 59 DK/NA 5 7 7 5 8 4 5 7 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ States laws 39% 35% 35% 37% 37% 35% 35% 39% Constitution 56 56 57 57 58 63 58 50 DK/NA 5 8 7 6 5 2 7 11 28. Do you have close friends or close relatives who are gay or lesbian? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Yes 65% 61% 64% 68% 60% 70% 66% 60% 67% No 33 38 35 29 38 29 32 40 33 DK/NA 2 1 2 3 2 1 2 1 - WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Yes 72% 63% 64% 64% 59% 72% 62% 66% No 27 35 35 34 39 27 36 32 DK/NA 1 2 1 2 2 1 1 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Yes 71% 63% 61% 70% 70% 71% 70% 57% No 28 36 37 29 28 28 29 40 DK/NA 2 2 2 1 1 - 1 2 TREND: Do you have close friends or close relatives who are gay or lesbian? Apr 04 Apr 30 2013 2009 Yes 65 63 No 33 34 DK/NA 2 3 29. Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently living in the United States? A) They should be allowed to stay in the United States and to eventually apply for US citizenship. B) They should be allowed to remain in the United States, but not be allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. C) They should be required to leave the U.S. Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp A) Stay/Citizenship 59% 47% 73% 54% 56% 62% 55% 73% 72% B) Stay/Not citizen 11 10 9 14 12 10 11 12 10 C) Not stay 25 36 13 27 27 22 28 9 13 DK/NA 5 7 5 4 5 6 5 5 5 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No A) Stay/Citizenship 65% 51% 51% 57% 53% 58% 48% 54% B) Stay/Not citizen 12 11 13 11 12 10 11 13 C) Not stay 18 33 30 28 31 26 36 27 DK/NA 5 5 6 3 4 6 6 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ A) Stay/Citizenship 66% 56% 61% 57% 60% 66% 55% 58% B) Stay/Not citizen 12 11 10 10 16 9 12 12 C) Not stay 18 28 24 27 21 23 29 23 DK/NA 4 6 5 6 3 2 4 7 TREND: Which comes closest to your view about illegal immigrants who are currently living in the United States? A) They should be allowed to stay in the United States and to eventually apply for US citizenship. B) They should be allowed to remain in the United States, but not be allowed to apply for U.S. citizenship. C) They should be required to leave the U.S. Apr 04 Feb 07 Dec 05 2013 2013 2012 A)Stay/Citizenship 59 56 57 B)Stay/Not citizen 11 10 11 C)Not stay 25 30 26 DK/NA 5 4 5 39. From what you've heard or read, do you approve or disapprove of the health care law that was enacted in 2010? IF APPROVE: Do you strongly approve or somewhat approve? IF DISAPPROVE: Do you somewhat disapprove or strongly disapprove? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Strongly approve 21% 3% 42% 17% 20% 22% 15% 50% 20% Somewhat approve 20 5 30 21 18 22 19 24 32 Somewhat disapprove 11 14 7 14 12 10 13 3 6 Strongly disapprove 35 71 7 33 41 29 41 7 22 DK/NA 12 7 14 15 8 16 11 15 19 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Strongly approve 21% 13% 10% 14% 15% 16% 5% 16% Somewhat approve 24 17 16 19 19 19 10 22 Somewhat disapprove 10 14 14 11 14 12 15 13 Strongly disapprove 38 43 51 45 45 38 60 39 DK/NA 7 13 9 11 7 15 10 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Strongly approve 24% 20% 21% 22% 25% 24% 20% 22% Somewhat approve 26 18 21 21 21 29 21 14 Somewhat disapprove 10 12 12 12 11 16 10 10 Strongly disapprove 33 35 29 38 36 22 37 39 DK/NA 7 15 16 7 7 9 12 15 40. From what you've heard or read, do you think the 2010 health care law will mostly help you personally, will mostly hurt you personally, or don't you think it will have much of an effect on you personally? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Help 15% 3% 27% 15% 14% 17% 11% 32% 25% Hurt 37 68 11 37 40 35 43 11 29 No effect 41 25 55 42 43 40 40 50 30 DK/NA 7 5 6 7 4 9 5 7 15 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Help 10% 12% 6% 9% 11% 12% 5% 10% Hurt 41 44 50 47 43 43 60 40 No effect 47 37 37 41 42 39 28 44 DK/NA 3 7 7 4 4 7 7 5 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Help 13% 16% 18% 15% 10% 26% 13% 12% Hurt 35 38 33 41 39 27 41 38 No effect 49 38 41 41 46 42 41 40 DK/NA 3 8 9 3 5 4 5 9 41. As you may know Medicaid is a government program that pays for health care for low-income people and others with certain disabilities. Do you think that increasing the number of people eligible for Medicaid coverage in your state is a good idea or a bad idea? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Good idea 48% 24% 71% 45% 47% 49% 41% 77% 59% Bad idea 41 65 19 44 44 39 47 14 35 DK/NA 11 10 10 11 9 12 11 10 6 WHITE.............................................. COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No Good idea 43% 40% 32% 39% 42% 41% 30% 38% Bad idea 45 49 54 52 49 46 55 51 DK/NA 12 11 14 8 10 13 15 11 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Good idea 49% 48% 56% 42% 44% 62% 47% 43% Bad idea 40 42 35 48 47 35 44 42 DK/NA 11 10 9 11 9 4 9 15 42. As you may know, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a plan to ban large servings of soda and sugary drinks in an effort to help fight obesity in New York City. Bloomberg's proposal would prohibit the sale of soda and other sweetened drinks in containers larger than 16 ounces that are sold in places regulated by the city's health department like restaurants, movie theaters, and food carts. Would you support or oppose Bloomberg's plan for your town or city? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 28% 18% 41% 24% 24% 32% 24% 37% 48% Oppose 70 81 57 74 75 66 74 62 50 DK/NA 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 WHITE.............................................. Have COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Kids Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No <18 Support 26% 23% 23% 23% 22% 26% 20% 25% 28% Oppose 72 75 75 75 77 72 79 74 71 DK/NA 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 29% 28% 33% 24% 26% 38% 25% 26% Oppose 69 70 65 75 73 61 74 72 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 43. As you may know, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has proposed that stores be required to keep cigarettes out of sight to discourage young people from smoking in New York City. Would you support or oppose Bloomberg's proposal for your town or city? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Hsp Support 59% 50% 68% 59% 50% 66% 56% 72% 69% Oppose 39 47 29 39 47 32 42 27 30 DK/NA 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 WHITE.............................................. Have COLLEGE DEG BornAgnEv Kids Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Yes No <18 Support 63% 52% 58% 52% 48% 63% 55% 56% 63% Oppose 34 45 40 45 49 35 43 42 35 DK/NA 3 2 2 3 3 2 2 2 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 63% 57% 62% 57% 61% 70% 54% 57% Oppose 34 41 36 41 37 28 43 41 DK/NA 3 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 Demographic Summary
