Guns and Gear

Poll: Two-thirds of American voters with household guns would ‘defy’ gun laws

Jessica Stanton Contributor
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As anti-gun lawmakers push for a government ban of more than 150 types of firearms, a new Fox News poll shows that two-thirds of American voters who have guns in their household would “defy” any law requiring them to give up the guns.

A majority of poll respondents – 52 percent – revealed that someone in their home owns a gun. Those respondents were then asked, “If the government passed a law to take your guns, would you give up your guns or defy the law and keep your guns?”

Approximately 65 percent indicated they would “defy the law,” including 70 percent of Republicans and 52 percent of Democrats who answered the question. Only 22 percent said they would “give up” their guns, while 13 percent were not sure.

On Thursday, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced the “Assault Weapons Ban of 2013,” which would prohibit the sale, transfer, importation and manufacture of hundreds of rifles, shotguns and pistols. The legislation also bans magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds. (RELATED: Feinstein stages dramatic anti-gun press conference)

At the Thursday press conference, Feinstein stated her belief that massacres like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occur because of the country’s “weak” gun laws.

Nearly 78 percent of those polled apparently disagree, indicating that “people who commit these kinds of acts will always find the guns to commit violent acts.” Only 22 percent “think tougher gun laws can help stop shootings,” and 58 percent believe if “more law abiding citizens owned guns,” there would be less violent crime in the United States.

The poll sampled 1,008 registered voters and was conducted from Jan.15 to 17. It has a margin of error of a plus or minus 3 percentage points.

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