August 8th , 2009

Lies, Damned Lies, Statistics—and Polls

    Following the July 21 failure of the Thune-Vitter Amendment to the National Defense Authorization Bill in the U.S. Senate, national anti-gun organizations claimed a major victory. The amendment would have provided for interstate recognition of right-to-carry firearms permits for the first time.

     Although Thune-Vitter received a majority of votes (58-39), 60 votes were required for its passage.

     Despite its failure, many gun-rights groups, firearms owners and supporters of the ambitious amendment correctly identified the narrow loss as an indication of a new groundswell of support for personal-protection and concealed carry in America. In addition, the vote was particularly significant considering the present veto-proof Democratic majority now empowered in the U.S. Senate.

    A new public opinion poll appears to confirm a major shift in the average American’s perception of personal firearms ownership and concealed carry laws. And amazingly, the chasm-wide disparity that once existed between the average Republican and Democratic voters on the issue of firearms ownership appears to be narrowing—to almost negligible numbers.

    The Zogby/O’Leary poll performed July 21-24 asked a total of 3,693 “voters” (a parameter that’s critical to the credibility of opinion polls), the following question:

    “Currently, 39 states have laws that allow residents to carry firearms to protect themselves, only if they pass a background check and pay a fee to cover administrative costs. Most of those states also require applicants to have firearms safety training. Do you support or oppose this law?”

     The results were astounding.

    An overwhelming 83-percent of those polled said they supported concealed-carry laws, while an incredible 80 percent of those identified as voting for President Barack Obama were also in favor of current state CCW laws.

    Further, concealed carry was supported by a majority of Independent voters (86 percent), Republicans (85 percent), Democrats (80 percent), young voters age 18-29 (83 percent) and Hispanic voters (80 percent).

    Asked “Do you agree or disagree that you have an individual right to own and use firearms for lawful purposes?” almost 85 percent of those polled said they agreed.

    Those agreeing with the premise of individual firearm ownership included an overwhelming majority of Republican voters (96 percent), Democratic voters (73 percent) and Independents (88 percent).

    The anti-gun organizations, big city mayors and U.S. Senators who believe they scored a major victory by derailing the Thune-Vitter Amendment in July, may we direct your attention to someone with infinitely more power and political clout than you will ever obtain?

    The American voter.

—J.R. Absher