January 30, 2013 - Pennsylvania Voters Want Stricter Gun-Control, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds; Voters Lean Slightly To Same-Sex Marriage Word format Gun-control laws in the Keystone State and in the nation should be stricter, Pennsylvania voters say, with overwhelming 19-1 support for laws requiring background checks for all gun buyers, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Pennsylvania gun-control laws should be stricter, 57 percent of voters tell the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll, while 4 percent say less strict and 35 percent say keep state laws as they are. National gun-control laws should be stricter, 60 percent of statewide voters say, with 5 percent saying less strict and 32 percent saying keep current laws. There is strong support in Pennsylvania for a number of measures at the national level: 95 - 5 percent for requiring background checks for all gun purchases; 60 - 37 percent for a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons; 59 - 39 percent for a nationwide ban on the sale of magazines with more than 10 rounds. There is less support on most gun-control questions among voters in households where there is a gun, but 95 percent of voters in these gun households support stricter background checks. "Pennsylvanians join voters in Virginia and New Jersey, states where Quinnipiac University has found overwhelming support for background checks for every gun purchase," said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "Keystone State voters, especially voters in urban areas, seem to have had enough of gun violence. By large margins, voters don't think assault weapons belong in the hands of any gun owner. Restrict the firepower of assault weapons or ban them entirely, Pennsylvanians say." Gun ownership does more to protect people from becoming victims of crime, 49 percent of voters say, while 40 percent say gun ownership puts people at risk. But 61 percent of Pennsylvania voters say allowing citizens to own assault rifles makes the country more dangerous, while 28 percent say assault weapon ownership makes the country safer. Voters in gun households say 46 - 38 percent that assault weapons make the U.S. safer. Armed guards in schools would do more to reduce gun violence in schools than stricter gun laws, voters say 46 - 42 percent. Gas Station Tax Pennsylvania voters are divided with 45 percent supporting and 47 percent opposing a proposed $2 billion tax on gas stations to improve roads and bridges in the state. Support ranges from 54 - 38 percent in favor in southeast Pennsylvania to 65 - 24 percent opposed in the northwest corner of the state. A total of 82 percent of voters are "very concerned" or "somewhat concerned" that the cost of the new tax would be passed on to them, while 18 percent are "not too concerned" or "not concerned at all." Same-Sex Marriage Pennsylvania voters are divided on same-sex marriage, with 47 percent in favor and 43 percent opposed. Support is 50 - 40 percent among women, while men are divided, with 44 percent in favor and 46 percent opposed. Support is 65 - 27 percent among Democrats and 51 - 38 percent among independent voters. Republicans are opposed 67 - 23 percent. White Catholics support same-sex marriage 50 - 40 percent while white Protestants are opposed 60 - 31 percent. Voters 18 to 34 years old support same-sex marriage 68 - 25 percent; voters 35 to 54 years old back it 48 - 41 percent. Voters over 55 are opposed 52 - 39 percent. In an open-ended question, where respondents can give any answer, 37 percent of Pennsylvania voters list the economy as the most important problem facing the state. Another 10 percent list education and only 8 percent list taxes, followed by 7 percent each for the state budget and for politicians. From January 22 - 27, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,221 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.8 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.xml, or call (203) 582-5201, or follow us on Twitter. 5. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Approve 51% 12% 90% 42% 44% 57% 45% 93% Disapprove 46 86 9 52 53 40 52 6 DK/NA 3 2 1 5 3 3 3 - WHITE................................. COLLEGE DEG Yes No Prot Cath Men Wom Approve 49% 43% 39% 46% 39% 51% Disapprove 47 54 58 50 57 46 DK/NA 4 3 3 4 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Approve 53% 50% 55% 48% 45% 52% 46% 55% Disapprove 44 47 43 50 51 44 51 42 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Barack Obama is handling his job as President? APPROVE....... High Low Jan 29 Nov 15 Jun 27 Jun 12 May 03 May 04 Apr 28 2013 2012 2012 2012 2012 2009 2011 Approve 51 52 45 46 50 66 42 Disapprove 46 45 49 49 46 29 53 DK/NA 3 3 6 4 4 5 5 8. What do you think is the most important problem facing Pennsylvania today? (Trend information is available upon request back through June 2002) Tot Economy Total 37% Economy general 7 Unemployment/jobs 28 Business leaving/Outsourcing 1 Cost of living 1 Education Total 10% Education general 4 Funding education 4 Education other 2 Taxes Total 8% Taxes general 4 Property tax 2 Taxes other 2 Budget Total 7% Budget general 2 Gov too big/Gov spending 1 Budget deficits 1 Budget priorities 1 Budget other 2 Politicians Total 7% Politicians/Campaigns general 1 Governor/State leadership/Legislature 2 Obama administration 1 Election/Voting reform 1 Political corruption 1 Politicians/Campaigns other 1 Crime Total 4% Crime/Violence general 3 Crime other 1 Healthcare Total 3% Healthcare/Costs/Ins/HMO's 2 Healthcare other 1 Gun control 3% Mass Transit Total 2% Poor conditions roads/highways 1 Mass transit other 1 Hydrofracking/Natural Gas Drilling 2% Environment/Pollution 2% Welfare 1% Senior issues 1% Handicapped/Disability issues 1% Poverty/Homeless 1% Energy crisis/Gas prices Total 1% Other 5% DK/NA 5% 9. Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 29% 66% 6% 24% 32% 27% 34% 5% Unfavorable 55 21 79 57 55 55 52 69 Hvn't hrd enough 13 9 14 14 9 15 10 26 REFUSED 3 3 2 5 3 3 3 - TREND: Is your opinion of the Republican Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Jan 30 May 03 Mar 28 Dec 08 Nov 10 Jul 14 Apr 8 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 2010 2010 Favorable 29 35 41 33 34 39 41 Unfavorable 55 51 48 53 52 43 41 Hvn't hrd enough 13 10 8 10 11 14 13 REFUSED 3 5 2 4 3 3 5 10. Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 43% 8% 81% 33% 38% 49% 39% 83% Unfavorable 42 80 7 47 47 37 47 10 Hvn't hrd enough 11 11 10 14 10 13 11 6 REFUSED 3 2 2 7 5 2 3 2 TREND: Is your opinion of the Democratic Party favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Jan 30 May 03 Mar 28 Dec 08 Nov 10 Jul 14 Apr 8 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 2010 2010 Favorable 43 45 45 42 39 41 41 Unfavorable 42 41 46 46 47 45 46 Hvn't hrd enough 11 9 8 9 10 11 9 REFUSED 3 5 2 3 4 3 4 11. In general, do you support or oppose same-sex marriage? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 47% 23% 65% 51% 44% 50% 46% 53% Oppose 43 67 27 38 46 40 44 36 DK/NA 9 10 7 11 10 9 9 11 WHITE...... Prot Cath Support 31% 50% Oppose 60 40 DK/NA 10 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 62% 41% 45% 47% 62% 68% 48% 39% Oppose 32 48 46 43 29 25 41 52 DK/NA 7 11 10 10 8 6 11 9 12. Who do you trust more to make the right decisions about gun laws, the Republicans in Congress or President Obama? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Reps in Congress 38% 79% 5% 39% 45% 32% 43% 6% Obama 47 11 85 38 39 55 42 83 DK/NA 14 10 10 23 16 13 15 11 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Reps in Congress 37% 39% 34% 44% 44% 36% 44% 34% Obama 53 45 48 47 49 50 44 51 DK/NA 10 16 17 9 7 14 12 15 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Reps in Congress 27% 38% 47% 56% 23% 41% 44% Obama 63 50 34 28 65 48 44 DK/NA 11 12 19 15 12 12 12 13. Do you think the laws covering the sale of guns in the United States should be made more strict, less strict, or kept as they are now? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More strict 60% 34% 87% 56% 50% 70% 57% 84% Less strict 5 7 1 6 8 2 5 - Kept the same 32 55 10 35 39 25 35 13 DK/NA 3 3 2 3 3 3 3 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More strict 64% 59% 62% 55% 63% 57% 56% 67% Less strict 3 5 6 3 5 6 5 3 Kept the same 30 32 29 37 31 34 36 27 DK/NA 3 3 3 4 1 3 3 3 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch More strict 73% 63% 49% 41% 78% 59% 55% Less strict 1 5 8 8 2 5 6 Kept the same 22 30 41 49 16 33 36 DK/NA 4 3 3 2 4 3 3 14. Do you think the laws covering the sale of guns in Pennsylvania should be made more strict, less strict, or kept as they are now? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More strict 57% 35% 82% 50% 47% 67% 53% 80% Less strict 4 6 1 6 7 2 4 - Kept the same 35 57 14 37 43 27 38 16 DK/NA 4 2 2 7 3 5 4 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More strict 62% 55% 59% 53% 62% 55% 52% 63% Less strict 3 5 5 3 4 6 5 2 Kept the same 31 36 34 39 31 35 39 30 DK/NA 4 4 3 5 2 3 3 4 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch More strict 70% 58% 46% 39% 74% 57% 53% Less strict 1 4 7 7 2 5 7 Kept the same 25 34 43 52 18 34 37 DK/NA 4 4 3 2 5 4 4 15. Do you support or oppose a nationwide ban on the sale of assault weapons? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 60% 41% 82% 51% 48% 70% 58% 69% Oppose 37 53 16 46 49 25 38 27 DK/NA 4 6 2 3 3 4 4 3 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 68% 56% 61% 57% 65% 54% 54% 68% Oppose 30 40 35 41 31 43 42 29 DK/NA 2 4 4 3 5 3 5 3 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Support 67% 64% 49% 45% 74% 56% 55% Oppose 31 34 45 51 24 40 42 DK/NA 3 2 6 4 2 4 3 16. 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 Support 59% 38% 80% 53% 51% 66% 58% 67% Oppose 39 59 18 45 47 31 39 31 DK/NA 2 3 1 2 2 3 3 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 67% 55% 57% 57% 67% 54% 52% 66% Oppose 31 42 40 41 30 43 45 32 DK/NA 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 2 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Support 64% 63% 50% 41% 74% 54% 53% Oppose 33 35 48 57 24 45 46 DK/NA 3 2 2 2 2 2 1 17. Do you support or oppose requiring background checks for all gun buyers? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 95% 94% 96% 94% 94% 96% 96% 90% Oppose 5 5 3 5 6 3 4 10 DK/NA 1 1 1 - - 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 97% 94% 94% 95% 98% 97% 95% 94% Oppose 3 5 5 5 2 3 5 5 DK/NA - 1 1 - - - - 1 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Support 93% 96% 94% 95% 94% 95% 94% Oppose 6 4 5 4 5 4 6 DK/NA 1 - 1 - 1 - - 18. Do you think that gun ownership in the United States does more to protect people from becoming victims of crime, or does more to put people's safety at risk? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Protects people 49% 70% 26% 56% 59% 40% 52% 35% Puts people at risk 40 19 62 33 31 47 37 54 DK/NA 11 11 12 11 9 13 11 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Protects people 44% 51% 46% 54% 47% 50% 53% 45% Puts people at risk 47 37 40 39 45 40 40 40 DK/NA 9 12 13 7 8 10 7 14 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Protects people 32% 51% 60% 66% 34% 52% 57% Puts people at risk 55 40 27 23 55 39 36 DK/NA 13 9 12 11 11 9 7 19. Do you think allowing citizens to own assault weapons makes the country safer or more dangerous? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Safer 28% 47% 10% 31% 37% 19% 30% 15% More dangerous 61 37 86 53 50 71 58 80 DK/NA 11 16 5 16 12 10 12 4 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Safer 23% 30% 24% 32% 30% 34% 36% 20% More dangerous 68 58 64 57 61 55 53 70 DK/NA 9 12 12 11 9 11 11 11 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Safer 19% 27% 35% 46% 12% 36% 41% More dangerous 72 64 48 38 81 55 51 DK/NA 9 9 17 15 7 9 8 20. Which of these do you think would do more to reduce gun violence in schools, having stricter gun laws or armed guards in schools? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Stricter gun laws 42% 19% 66% 36% 36% 48% 40% 58% Armed guards 46 69 27 52 53 40 49 28 DK/NA 12 12 7 13 11 12 11 14 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Stricter gun laws 52% 38% 41% 40% 50% 36% 39% 48% Armed guards 38 50 49 46 45 53 50 41 DK/NA 11 12 10 14 5 11 11 11 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Stricter gun laws 51% 47% 29% 24% 58% 37% 37% Armed guards 38 42 58 64 32 55 53 DK/NA 11 11 12 12 11 8 10 21. If a member of Congress who represents your district were to vote for a ban on the sale of assault weapons, would you be more likely to vote for that person, less likely to vote for that person, or wouldn't it make a difference? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk More likely 44% 22% 67% 35% 34% 53% 42% 56% Less likely 28 47 8 34 40 18 29 12 No difference 26 28 23 28 25 27 27 29 DK/NA 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 2 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ More likely 52% 40% 44% 40% 47% 35% 38% 52% Less likely 23 30 27 33 23 33 35 21 No difference 22 27 27 24 29 31 26 24 DK/NA 2 2 2 3 1 2 1 3 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch More likely 49% 48% 34% 24% 61% 42% 39% Less likely 22 25 37 45 13 33 37 No difference 23 27 27 30 23 24 23 DK/NA 5 1 2 2 2 1 1 22. Is your opinion of the leadership of the National Rifle Association favorable, unfavorable, or haven't you heard enough about it? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Favorable 31% 53% 14% 33% 39% 25% 35% 12% Unfavorable 35 12 55 35 33 37 33 43 Hvn't hrd enough 32 34 31 30 27 36 30 46 REFUSED 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Favorable 25% 35% 31% 36% 26% 24% 38% 30% Unfavorable 51 28 29 37 50 29 33 39 Hvn't hrd enough 23 36 39 24 23 47 28 29 REFUSED 1 2 1 2 1 - 2 2 AREA............... GUN HSHOLD HAVE KIDS...... Urban Suburb Rural Yes No <18 InPubSch Favorable 19% 29% 45% 49% 16% 34% 39% Unfavorable 42 42 20 20 49 35 34 Hvn't hrd enough 37 28 33 30 34 30 26 REFUSED 1 1 3 2 1 - 1 23. Would you support or oppose a transportation plan to improve roads and bridges in Pennsylvania that is funded primarily by nearly $2 billion a year in new taxes on gas stations? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Support 45% 29% 57% 49% 48% 42% 45% 48% Oppose 47 63 34 46 46 48 47 42 DK/NA 8 8 9 5 6 10 8 10 COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Support 50% 43% 42% 48% 53% 61% 42% 40% Oppose 42 49 48 48 42 34 51 50 DK/NA 8 8 10 4 5 5 7 10 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Support 47% 50% 49% 54% 24% 35% 42% Oppose 44 45 43 38 65 58 49 DK/NA 9 4 7 7 11 7 10 24. How concerned are you that the costs of this tax increase would be passed on to you; very concerned, somewhat concerned, not too concerned, or not concerned at all? Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom Wht Blk Very concerned 54% 64% 43% 54% 53% 54% 52% 59% Smwht concerned 28 24 33 27 25 30 30 19 Not too concerned 11 7 15 10 11 11 10 15 Not concerned 7 4 9 8 10 5 7 6 DK/NA 1 - 1 2 1 1 1 - COLLEGE DEG ANNUAL HSHOLD INC AGE IN YRS....... Yes No <50K 50-100 >100K 18-34 35-54 55+ Very concerned 47% 56% 53% 57% 44% 44% 60% 52% Smwht concerned 29 27 31 24 26 38 23 28 Not too concerned 13 10 10 12 17 14 12 9 Not concerned 10 6 5 8 11 4 6 9 DK/NA 1 1 1 - 1 - - 2 Alghny Philly NthEst SthEst NthWst SthWst Cntrl Very concerned 46% 54% 53% 48% 67% 63% 54% Smwht concerned 36 24 32 25 18 21 31 Not too concerned 10 13 11 15 6 7 9 Not concerned 8 7 4 11 8 6 5 DK/NA - 2 - 1 1 2 - Demographic Summary
