Brady Campaign: Majority of Americans would vote for candidates who support expanded background checks

New Poll By Brady Campaign Shows Price To Pay At the Polls Is For Opposing Gun Legislation

Apr 11, 2013

Washington, DC – A new poll released today by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence shows not only do more than 90 percent of all Americans support background checks for all gun purchases, but a majority of Americans are willing to make put their vote behind getting this done.

The poll showed that 53 percent of all voters are more likely to support a lawmaker who supports background checks on all gun sales. Just 9 percent are less likely.

“This poll shows what the American public already knows and what we hope our elected officials come to appreciate- We knew that the threats of electoral retaliation by the NRA lobby is just smoke. There is a price to pay at the polls, but it is for not supporting sensible gun violence legislation that will save lives,” said Dan Gross, President of the Brady Campaign. “We hope every lawmaker looks at these numbers and realizes that they need to do what they knew was right all along, and that is pass expanded background checks so we can stop gun violence that is killing our communities.”

In addition to background checks, Americans find common ground on the issue of sharing responsibility for keeping our communities safer and reducing gun violence. 88 percent of Americans recognize the need for education, research and shared responsibility in keeping guns out the hands of criminals, the mentally ill and children.

Another key finding regards the Second Amendment. The research showed 83 percent of voters believe it is possible to both protect the rights of gun owners under the Second Amendment at the same time as protecting citizens from gun violence. This includes 85 percent of gun owners.

“We strongly believe that expanded and enforceable background checks only strengthens the Second Amendment because it reinforces the rights of law abiding citizens to own a gun,” Gross said. “Now we know that even the majority of gun owners agree. We need Congress to truly reflect the will of the people now and pass sensible gun laws that have meaningful impacts.”

The poll, conducted by Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research was conducted March 11-24, 2013. A full memo on this research can be downloaded by clicking here.