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Quinnipiac Poll: Connecticut Voters Support Most Gun Measures

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- By overwhelming margins, Connecticut voters want stronger gun measures, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday.

After the Newtown school shootings, most Connecticut voters support a range of gun control measures, a Quinnipiac Poll has found.

After the Newtown school shootings, most Connecticut voters support a range of gun control measures, a Quinnipiac Poll has found.

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A total of 93 percent of residents polled support universal background checks, including 89 percent of those in households with guns, the poll found. 

"In the wake of the Newtown tragedy, there is overwhelming support among Connecticut voters for strengthening the state's gun laws. It is remarkable how bipartisan the support is for some of the most talked-about gun-control measures. Universal background checks tops the list with 93 percent support, higher than we've ever seen for any issue in 20 years of Connecticut surveys," said Douglas Schwartz, director of the Quinnipiac University poll.

Voters support stricter statewide gun-control laws 66 percent to 30 percent, the poll finds. Support for specific measures includes:

  • 68 percent to 28 percent back an expansion of the statewide ban on the sale of assault weapons. Gun owners are opposed 49 percent to 44 percent;
  • 68 percent vs. 28 percent back a ban on the sale of ammunition magazines with more than 10 rounds. Gun owners are divided 49 percent vs. 48 percent;
  • 72 percent to 27 percent back registration of all handguns, with annual renewal. Gun owners are divided with 48 percent in favor and 50 percent opposed;
  • 63 percent vs. 31 percent, including 50 percent vs. 46 percent among gun owners, favor limiting handgun purchases to one per month;
  • 85 percent to 14 percent, including 71 percent to 28 percent among gun owners, back a permit requirement to purchase and carry all guns;
  • 86 percent vs. 11 percent, including 85 percent vs. 12 percent among gun owners, favor a gun offender registry for those convicted of gun crimes;
  • 76 percent favor and 19 percent oppose, including 65 percent vs. 32 percent among gun owners, stricter gun storage requirements;
  • 50 percent vs. 43 percent back mandatory liability insurance for gun owners, who oppose this measure 71 percent vs. 26 percent.

"Interestingly, Republican voters are divided 45 - 48 percent on the general question, 'Do you support or oppose stricter gun-control laws in Connecticut.' They support, however, most of the specific measures," Schwartz added.

The Newtown tragedy makes them more likely to support gun-control, 54 percent of Connecticut voters say, while 43 percent say it makes no difference.

Voters do support 54 percent vs. 41 percent placing armed police officers in public schools in the state.

The margin of error was 3 percentage points. To read more about the poll, visit its website.

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